No fatalities

Liaison Flight Emergency Landing in Wales Due to Fuel Exhaustion (X9449)

Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, United KingdomFlight

On August 2, 1940, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration X9449) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion necessitated an emergency landing that resulted in the destruction of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A liaison flight departed RAF Castle Bromwich but was forced to make an emergency landing in a pasture in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Wales, after running out of fuel. The aircraft was destroyed, though all three crew members survived without injury.

What happened

The incident involved a liaison flight that originated at RAF Castle Bromwich. The aircraft was carrying a total of three crew members when it departed for its destination. During the en-route phase of the journey, the pilot encountered a critical situation requiring an immediate response. Due to a lack of fuel, the pilot was compelled to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft came down in a pasture situated in Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, Wales. Following the crash landing, the airframe sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair. Despite the severity of the impact and the destruction of the plane, all three occupants managed to escape the wreckage uninjured.

Findings

The official investigation identified fuel exhaustion as the primary factor leading to the emergency situation. This condition forced the pilot to execute an unplanned landing in a non-airport environment, resulting in the loss of the aircraft.

Probable cause

Fuel exhaustion necessitated an emergency landing that resulted in the destruction of the aircraft.