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Aircraft Accident During Photographic Survey Flight Near Sheffield (G-ALBC)

Edale, United KingdomFlight

On December 30, 1963, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration G-ALBC) operated by Solair Flying Services was involved in an aviation accident near Edale, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Examination at the scene of the accident showed that the aircraft had struck the ground, in a normal cruising attitude and at a low engine power setting, at a point 1,990 ft. a.m.s.l. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A two-person aircraft crashed near Sheffield after the pilot diverted to Manchester due to fuel concerns. The aircraft entered cloud and struck the ground in a normal cruising attitude.

Flight Details and Diversion Decision The aircraft was operating a flight from Middleton St. George to Birmingham, carrying a pilot and a photographer. The crew intended to complete several photographic survey jobs during the journey. Shortly after sunset, while flying at 2,000 feet above mean sea level, the pilot estimated the position to be five miles west of Sheffield, near high ground that rose to 2,000 feet. Due to a 40-knot headwind, the pilot determined that the remaining fuel was insufficient to reach Birmingham. The pilot contacted Manchester Approach Control and received a special VFR clearance to divert to Manchester Airport. The clearance specified a maximum altitude of 3,500 feet above mean sea level, a QNH of 1013 mbs, and required the aircraft to remain clear of all cloud and in sight of the surface.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Dec 1963 De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide accident near Edale, United Kingdom?

A two-person aircraft crashed near Sheffield after the pilot diverted to Manchester due to fuel concerns. The aircraft entered cloud and struck the ground in a normal cruising attitude.

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Dec 1963 De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Dec 1963 involved a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, registration G-ALBC, operated by Solair Flying Services, at Edale, United Kingdom.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Examination at the scene of the accident showed that the aircraft had struck the ground, in a normal cruising attitude and at a low engine power setting, at a point 1,990 ft. a.m.s.l. An aftercast of the weather conditions showed that the cloud base over the hills at the time of the accident probably varied between…

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