Tragic 1931 Air Crash Claims Life of Young Aristocrat at Lympne
A devastating aviation accident on September 18, 1931, resulted in the death of 23-year-old Nigel Benjamin Cohen, the eldest son of Sir Herbert Cohen, the 2nd Baronet Cohen of Highfield. The young aristocrat took off from Lympne Airfield in his De Havilland DH60 Moth aircraft, registration G-AAKR, intending to practice advanced aerobatic maneuvers, specifically inverted spins.
The Fatal Flight Sequence
After climbing to an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet, Cohen maintained straight and level flight briefly, likely preparing for his maneuvers. He then initiated a dive with the engine at full power, beginning at a moderate angle before transitioning into an over-vertical dive that descended roughly 800 feet. During this aggressive maneuver, witnesses observed parts detaching from the aircraft as it entered a right-hand spin, culminating in a complete structural collapse of the long airframe.
Crash Investigation Findings
The aircraft impacted the ground behind the Royal Oak Inn at Newingreen, just north of Lympne village and airfield, killing the pilot instantly. Contemporary reports in the Western Morning News noted the aircraft missed the inn by mere feet. Investigators examining the wreckage determined the primary cause was aileron flutter, stating: "Torsional oscillations of the wing extensions under the influence of that flutter caused the auto slots to open during the high speed dive. The resulting combined stresses caused the front spar of the starboard plane to fracture."
Family Tragedy and Historical Context
Nigel Cohen resided at Sandy Hatch on Cliff Road in Hythe. His younger brother, Captain Stephen Behrens Cohen, would later die in 1943 during World War II. With both sons predeceasing their father, the Cohen baronetcy became extinct upon Sir Herbert's death in 1968. The DH Moth aircraft involved had been first registered on July 30, 1929, to National Flying Services of Hanworth, Middlesex. Cohen purchased it from its second owner, Captain the Hon Denys G Finch-Hatton, who operated it from Stag Lane airfield in Edgeware, Middlesex.
Lympne Airfield History Society Events
The Lympne Airfield History Society continues to preserve such historical accounts. Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, featuring Rob Beale's presentation "Lympne – One Day in the Battle of Britain," a minute-by-minute account of a 1940 Luftwaffe attack on the airfield. Meetings are held at Lympne church, with doors opening at 6:30 PM and a £3 entry fee. Refreshments are available, and further information can be obtained by calling 07508 708725 or emailing johnsimpson43@btinternet.com.
