6 fatalities

Fatal cliff impact near Peel during approach to Douglas-Ronaldsway (G-AIUI)

Peel, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On June 10, 1948, a De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide (registration G-AIUI) operated by Hargreaves Airways was involved in an aviation accident near Peel, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A navigational error during a low-altitude approach in poor weather conditions led to a controlled flight into terrain near Peel. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck a cliff near Peel while attempting to land at Douglas-Ronaldsway in poor weather, resulting in six fatalities and two serious injuries.

What happened

The flight was operating under poor weather conditions as it initiated the descent phase toward Douglas-Ronaldsway Airport. The pilot was completing his first flight to this destination and struggled to identify the airport or determine the aircraft's exact position relative to the runway.

During the approach, the crew encountered a navigational error that caused the aircraft to deviate from the intended path. Coming from the west, the plane descended at an altitude that was too low for the terrain. Consequently, the airframe impacted a cliff face located near Peel. The crash site was not immediately accessible, and wreckage was recovered several hours after the incident.

The accident resulted in the deaths of six people, comprising both crew members and four passengers. Two additional occupants sustained serious injuries.

Probable cause

A navigational error during a low-altitude approach in poor weather conditions led to a controlled flight into terrain near Peel.