24th August 1934
Plane is washed into the sea during Jersey take-off
Before the current airport was built, planes serving Jersey landed and took off from the beaches. Thus, seven passengers on a Jersey Airways plane heading for Heston Aerodrome in London were saved by bathers when the aircraft was caught by the rising tide at West Park Beach.
When a particularly ferocious wave swept across one of the wings, it caused the engine to fail. Thus, with nothing to counterbalance it, the other engine swung the plane around, and powered it straight into the sea.
Fortunately, nobody was hurt on this occasion, but several passengers had to be carried ashore. A second aviation incident the very next day had a rather more serious outcome.
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Other events that occured in August
The first Earl of Jersey to live in Jersey dies in Jersey
- The Ninth Earl of Jersey inherited his title in 1923, when he was 13, but didn’t move to the island until the late 1940s.
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Jersey-set film The Others is released
- Starring Nicole Kidman and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, The Others is a psychological horror film set in Jersey.
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Victor Hugo flees France and heads for Jersey
- Victor Hugo lived in Jersey for three years after fleeing Napoleonic France, before moving on to neighbouring Guernsey.
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Pilot killed in private plane crash
- A pilot was killed when both engines of the plane he was flying from Jersey to Guernsey lost power and he crashed into an outbuilding.
- Read more…