2 fatalities

1980-01-14: De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (XP819) — British Army Air Corps — Basingstoke, United Kingdom

Basingstoke, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On January 14, 1980, a De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver (registration XP819) operated by British Army Air Corps was involved in an aviation accident near Basingstoke, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot attempted to land in low-visibility fog, causing the aircraft to overshoot the field and strike a fence. 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 1781224376Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane crashed and caught fire near the M3 motorway during an attempted landing in heavy fog, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

A liaison flight departing from Middle Wallop ended in a fatal accident when the aircraft failed to complete its landing sequence. During the flight, which included the pilot and one passenger, the crew attempted to land within a field under conditions of heavy fog. During this maneuver, the single-engine airplane overshot the intended landing area and collided with a fence.

The impact caused the aircraft to crash near the M3 motorway, where it subsequently erupted into flames. The intensity of the fire resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were two fatalities recorded, as both the pilot and the passenger perished in the accident.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was the attempt to land in foggy conditions, which led to the aircraft overshooting its target area and striking an obstacle.

Probable cause

The pilot attempted to land in low-visibility fog, causing the aircraft to overshoot the field and strike a fence.