A WW-II era biplane crashed this weekend at a major annual airshow event in British Columbia.
The DeHavilland Dragon Rapide 3 was carrying several passengers when it came down hard just after takeoff shortly after the days airshow events had ended at Abbotsford on Saturday.
Five people aboard were taken to hospital with minor to critical injuries, fortunately none life-threatening.
The plane was operated by the Historic Flight Foundation, a non-profit operation based near Seattle in the U.S. which has had several of its antique planes at the show during the past 11 years.
The DeHavilland model was originally designed in the 1930’s in Britain as a regional passenger plane, and was mostly of wood and fabric constructions. With a reputation for reliability, it enabled early airlines to provide more regular and scheduled service thereby promoting air travel. The model, which could carry small cargo or 6-8 passengers continued to be built and used through the war years and afterward.
This particular plane G-AHXW, a 1940’s model, was carrying passengers at the show who paid for a short promotional flight aboard the vintage craft.
The plane may have encountered trouble due to high winds blowing across the field at the time. It was experienced pilot and founder of the Historic Flight Foundation, John Sessions, and was a recent addition to their collection.
The Dragon model also has a history in Canada where several had been used as bush planes providing invaluable service in developing northern remote regions of the country.
In 1946 production of Rapides and the militarised Dominie version ceased with a total of 727 built.
Additional information-sources
- CBC: Aug 11/18- air show crash
- CTV News-video report
- Washington Herald- B Watanabe: Aug 13/18: historic flight founder injured in crash
- Flight to Fly: YouTube G-AHXW debut flight Historic Flight Foundation
- Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre- DH-89
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