The aircraft was operating an international scheduled flight from Croydon to Le Bourget Airport, Paris, France.

[3] Having departed from Croydon at 10:30,[4] the aircraft was some 15 miles (24 km) out over the English Channel,[5] flying at an altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m),[4] when a connecting rod in the starboard engine broke.

The cutter entered Folkestone harbour at 2:45 pm flying the signal EDY, signifying that ambulances were required, and with her red ensign at half-mast.

[6] The wreckage was towed to Dungeness, where a search revealed only baggage and personal belongings of the passengers.

[5] The investigation opened on 25 June at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, with Sir Arthur Colefax in charge.

The connecting rod had failed due to the failure of the big end bearing studs.

The fourth surviving passenger was not called as she was legally a minor at the time and had lost her father in the accident.

Among the recommendations were that passengers should be provided with seatbelts and that aircraft not capable of maintaining level flight with an inoperative engine and not designed to land on water should be withdrawn from continental routes after 1 July 1930.