6th August 1970
Pilot killed in private plane crash
Pilot Kenneth Desmond was killed when the Beagle 206 Series 2 he was flying from Jersey to Guernsey lost power in both engines, stalled, span and crashed into an outbuilding shortly after take-off. When the engines were examined by investigators picking through the wreckage, they could find no reason for the malfunction and loss of power.
The officer in control of the aerodrome had been watching the aircraft through binoculars as the first of its propellers put out a couple of puffs of smoke and stopped turning. The officer gave Desmond clearance to return to the runway and put down but, as the pilot turned, his other engine stopped and he radioed “I’ve got the other engine going, I’m going down”.
FREE Jersey history newsletter
Don't miss our weekly update on Jersey's fascinating history. We promise never to sell your data to anyone else, and there's a super-easy unsubscribe link on the bottom of each email so you can leave whenever you want.
Other events that occured in August
The Beatles tour Jersey and Guernsey
- The Beatles played four dates at Jersey’s Springfield Ballroom in August 1963 for a fee of £1000, and popped to Guernsey for two dates.
- Read more…
Jersey judge and prosecutor find themselves prosecuted in court turn-around
- A bit of clever argument from the accused saw a court in Jersey reconsider who exactly was to blame in an unusual case.
- Read more…
St Helier burned by a huge fire
- Dense clouds of smoke billowed above Fort Regent when commercial buildings caught fire in St Helier in August 1891.
- Read more…
Pioneering human rights advocate John Lilburne dies
- John Lilburne was one of the most famous political prisoners of his day and inspired part of the American Constitution.
- Read more…
