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”.
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Other events that occured in August
Law Lord who oversaw Channel Island refugees is born
- Herbert du Parcq chaired the Channel Islands Refugees Committee which raised funds for evacuated Channel Islanders.
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First direct rail services link St Helier to Corbière
- Jersey Railway was completed in stages, with services connecting La Corbiere to the capital not starting for 15 years.
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Curious bottles wash up on Jersey’s beaches
- Dozens of strange bottles washed up on beaches around the Channel Islands in 1893 as part of an experiment.
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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.
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