Knight Air Flight 816 was a scheduled flight operating from Leeds Bradford Airport to Ronaldsway Airport in the Isle of Man. The flight, a short regional service, took off carrying 12 people, consisting of 10 passengers and 2 crew members. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties and began its return to the airport. Eyewitnesses reported observing the aircraft in distress, describing its unusual descent trajectory.

The aircraft, a British Aerospace 146, attempted to navigate back to Leeds with a significant loss of altitude. The descent was marked by erratic movements, suggesting potential control issues. Tragically, the plane crashed near Dunkeswick, just a few miles from the airport, leading to the fatalities of all onboard. The exact nature of the problems encountered by the aircraft was subject to investigation, with authorities considering technical faults as well as possible pilot decision-making errors.

Following the crash, investigations by both the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch and other aviation safety authorities sought to understand the causes. This incident led to a renewed discussion about regional airline safety protocols and regulations, underscoring the importance of ongoing pilot training and the maintenance of aircraft used in short-distance flights. Such incidents serve as crucial learning points for the aviation industry to improve safety measures.