Date:	Saturday 3 May 1919
Time:	day
Type:	B.A.T. FK. 25 Basilisk
Owner/operator:	The British Aerial Transport Co
Registration:	F2906
MSN:	FK.25/1
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Location:	East Finchley, London Borough of Barnet, London -   United Kingdom
Phase:	Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:	Test
Departure airport:	RAF Hendon, Colindale, Middlesex
Destination airport:

Narrative:
B. A. T. Basilisk F2906: Written off (destroyed) 3 May 1919 when engine caught fire in flight while attempting to break the World altitude record.

Three prototypes of the Basilisk were ordered in early 1918, and the first one (F2096) flew in September 1918. It was destroyed on 3 May 1919 when attempting to break the World altitude record, its engine catching fire and BAT's test pilot, Flight Commander Peter Legh (aged 22), being killed after he jumped clear. The aircraft came down at East Finchley, London Borough of Barnet, London

This accident led to the mandatory requirement for fully sealed firewalls on all aircraft

Flt/Cdr. Peter Legh was born on 4 September 1896. He was the son of Major Hon. Gilbert Legh and Louisa Maria Maquay. He died on 3 May 1919 at age 22, following a flying accident. He gained the rank of Flight Commander in the Royal Naval Air Service.

1. De locomotief 07-05-1919
2. Aircraft Accident Card (Air Ministry Form AM.1180): https://www.rafcommands.com/database/serials/details.php?uniq=F2906
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAT_Basilisk#Development_and_design
4. http://www.rcawsey.co.uk/Acc1919.htm
5. https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/memorial/entry.php?id=30
6. https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/6861305
7. http://www.thepeerage.com/p65985.htm#i659842
8. https://www.aviastar.org/air/england/bat_basilisk.php
9. https://www.aviastar.org/pictures/england/bat_basilisk.gif
10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Finchley

BAT F.K.25 Basilisk fighter in September 1918: serial obscured, but believed to be F2906 the first prototype

Date/time	Contributor	Updates
22-Feb-2021 20:12	Cobar	Added
20-Sep-2023 18:01	Dr. John Smith	Updated