August 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crash

The August 1926 Air Union Blériot 155 crash happened on 18 August 1926 at Hurst, Kent when Blériot 155 F-AIEB of Air Union hit a barn and crashed whilst attempting to make a forced landing in bad weather.

[4] At 1:56 pm GMT, a radio report was made to Saint-Inglevert that the aircraft was crossing the coast at Berck-Plage.

[4] Reported weather conditions at Lympne at 1:15 pm GMT were continuous rain and fog, visibility 500 yards (460 m), cloudbase less than 150 feet (46 m).

[5] At 2:30 pm GMT,[3] the pilot attempted to make a forced landing in a large field at College Farm, Hurst, Aldington, some 5 miles (8.0 km) west of Lympne Airport.

Hurdles were improvised as makeshift stretchers and the injured were taken into the barn until ambulances arrived from Ashford, Hythe and Lympne.

[7] Evidence given at the inquest into the deaths of the passengers showed that the pilot was experienced, having started his flying career with the French Army during the First World War.