Investigation Summary
The flight departed Cricklewood around mid-day bound for Paris with mail, freight, and six passengers. Witnesses observed the large biplane flying unusually low, struggling to climb above 100 feet. The aircraft struck a tree at a height of less than 50 feet and crashed into the back garden of No. 6 Basing Hill in Golders Green. Upon impact, four passengers were either thrown clear or jumped from the fuselage before a post-crash fire erupted. The two crew members and two passengers remaining inside were trapped and killed by the intense heat. Although the engines had been tested and appeared to be functioning normally before departure, the aircraft's low climb rate proved insufficient to clear local obstacles in the prevailing misty weather.
Final Conclusions
The contemporary coroner's inquest recorded a verdict that the deaths were a consequence of burns resulting from the crash after striking a tree. While the coroner noted there was insufficient evidence at the time to determine the technical cause of the low altitude, modern retrospective analysis by the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (BAAA) and the Aviation Safety Network classifies the event as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT). The BAAA specifically attributes the crash to an error of judgment by the pilot, who chose to take off toward rising terrain despite the aircraft's low climb rate and the limited visibility caused by mist.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII Engines
The O/400 was powered by two liquid-cooled V12 engines; witnesses at the inquest stated the engines were tested before flight and no mechanical issues were reported.
Interesting Facts
- 01The accident is often cited as the first fatal crash of a British airliner.
- 02The aircraft was a converted World War I bomber built by the Birmingham Carriage Company.
- 03Total fatalities: 4 (2 crew members, pilot Robert Bager and mechanic John Williams; and 2 passengers, Sam Salinger and Van der Elst).
- 04Four passengers survived: E. Rosenthal, Alexander Bona, P. Curioni, and E. Studd, two of whom were completely unhurt.
- 05The crash caused significant damage to a newly built house at No. 6 Basing Hill.
- 06The aircraft was flying at an altitude of less than 100 feet and struck a tree approximately 50 feet high before crashing.
Location
ACCIDENT SITE · Coordinates taken from the wikidata coordinate.