G-AMTS  de Havilland D.H.114 Heron 2                  (c/n 14007)

                                       

                                           G-AMTS, the seventh Heron produced, was the prototype for the retractable undercarraige Mark
                                           2.    It was leased to the Queens Flight in July 1956 for a short period and carried the military serial
                                           XL961.  It was purchased by Humber Ltd in 1960 and converted to a Mark 2D.  On 10 July 1961
                                           the Heron was being used to conduct a crew training flight.   An approach was made to Biggin Hill
                                           Airport with a simulated number 4 engine failure and with flaps fully down.  After touchdown power
                                           was increased and the aircraft took off again, flying very low and at a slow speed.  (Flaps were still
                                           down).   It struck some trees near the airport boundary, then struck the roof of a house, rolled on its
                                           back and crashed into dense woodland. Both occupants were killed.