G-AMYP de Havilland Dove - fatal crash at Shoreham 09.07.83

[pomme homme]

Keith Wickenden, the Conservative MP for Dorking 1979-83 (which seat disappeared in the boundary changes that came into effect with the general election in the latter year) and the Chairman of European Ferries, purchased G-AMYP, a D.H.104 Dove 2A, in late 1982. It had spent most of its life with the Royal Navy as Sea Devon C.20 XJ322. At some time in 1983 a replacement engine had been fitted to the aircraft (but not supplied) by Southern Air at Shoreham. The engine was ground tested by Southern Air, including two hours of ground running at different power settings, after its installation. Following that work, Mr Wickenden (50) took off from Shoreham for a short test-flight to check the engine. Just after rotation the engine was heard to splutter and the aircraft was unable to maintain height due to suspected right engine failure. It dived into the bank of the River Adur and exploded, killing Mr. Wickenden, the only occupant. The remains of the crashed aircraft were taken to the AAIB at Farnborough for investigation.

[pomme homme]

A photograph of this Dove at Shoreham, before its demise, can be found at http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1028321/.