Avro 652 Anson | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The airplane was engaged in a maritime patrol flight out from RAF Detling. Shortly after takeoff, it stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. Four crew members were killed and a fifth was injured.
Crew:
Sgt James Wilson, pilot, †
Sgt William George Shier, observer, †
Sgt Leo Frederick James O'Kelly, wireless operator, †
Sgt Horace George Worton, air gunner, †
LAC James Wilson.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Silloth

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K8818

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

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Circumstances:

Following a wrong approach configuration, the crew landed on a closed runway portion. The twin engine aircraft hit several obstacles, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. While the crew was unhurt, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration and poor flight preparation on part of the crew.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Llanwrthwl: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1940 at 2330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5019

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While flying at night in poor weather conditions, the twin engine aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Y Gamrhiw located near Llanwrthwl, Wales. Four occupants were killed while a passenger was injured.
Crew (15th OTU):
AC2 Thomas Colvin Watson, pilot, †
Sgt Christopher Joseph Dent, observer, †
Sgt Arthur Williams, wireless operator, †
Sgt Hugh Hannan, wireless operator and air gunner, †
Sgt A. C. Smith.

Probable cause:

The board of inquiry determined that the cause of the accident was attributed to a navigation error following wrong information transmitted by ground observer.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I into the North Sea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5226

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Detling - Detling

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Detling and crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Sea. No trace was ever found.
Crew:
P/O Ian F. Lothian,
P/O Alan Swainston,
Sgt John P. Morgan,
Sgt John W. T. Alderslade.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Prestwick: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 21, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K6272

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Saint Athan – Prestwick

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On approach to Prestwick Airport, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed few hundred yards short of runway. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Sgt William Rowan Speir, pilot,
Sgt Charles Bernard Hazel, pilot,
Sgt Irving Alfred Haig Gliddon, navigator,
Sgt James Percy Ross, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Low speed on approach caused the aircraft to stall.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Guisborough: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 16, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5067

Flight Phase:

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Schedule:

Thornaby - Thornaby

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While on a connection flight, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The pilot did not realize he was flying too low when the aircraft hit telephone wires, stalled and crashed onto a hill, bursting into flames. All crew were seriously injured and the captain died three days later from injuries sustained.
Crew (608th Squadron):
Sgt Leslie Bertram Walpole, †
P/O B. Duncan,
Sgt O. Shepherd,
AC1 George Edward Lumley.

Probable cause:

Poor judgment on part of the crew.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Stoney Lake

Date & Time: Jun 14, 1940 at 0810 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

6057

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Camp Borden - Camp Borden

Location:

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Circumstances:

After departing RCAF Camp Borden on an advanced training - practice instrument flying exercise, the pilot continued to Stoney Lake. He descended too low over the water, causing the airplane to impact the water surface and to crash. Both occupants escaped uninjured.
Crew:
Sgt C. F. K. Mews, pilot.
Passenger:
Sgt W. A. Winder.

Probable cause:

Error in judgment on part of the pilot coming to close to surface of water before trying to level off. Low flying on the part of the pilot over Stoney Lake, when not authorized to do so.

Final Report:

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I into the North Sea: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 13, 1940

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5225

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Detling - Detling

Location:

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The twin engine airplane departed RAF Detling on a maritime patrol flight. While cruising at night, it crashed in unknown circumstances into the North Sea. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/O Russell K. Curzon, pilot,
Sgt Norman J. Sparks,
AC1 Laurence V. Pepper,
Sgt George A. Mitchell.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Towcester

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1940 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

N5112

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Upwood - Upwood

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was engaged in a training exercise and departed RAF Upwood in the morning. En route, an engine failed, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. After touchdown, the aircraft hit a hedge and came to rest. All four occupants were unhurt and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crew (17th OTU):
Sgt M. H. Farmer +3.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1940 at 0010 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

L7047

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Thorney Island - Thorney Island

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Circumstances:

While returning to RAF Thorney Island following a maritime patrol flight over the North Sea, the aircraft went out of control on final approach and plunged into the sea, few hundred yards offshore. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew (48th Squadron):
P/O Carson C. Proby,
P/O B. A. P. Williams,
LAC W. McIlvenney,
LAC A. V. Wallace.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the pilot was blinded by searchlight on approach, causing the airplane to crash into the sea.