Avro 652 Anson

Operator:

Registration:

K6183

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Bircham Newton - Bircham Newton

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While approaching the German coast, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by a German fighter Heinkel He.115. The Anson crashed into the sea off the Borkum Island. A crew member was rescued while all three other occupants were killed.
Crew (206th Squadron):
P/O L. H. Edwards,
Sgt Alexander Oliver Heslop, †
AC1 Geoffrey Sheffield, †
LAC John Quilter. †

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fighter.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off RAF Leuchars

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K8845

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed RAF Leuchars at 1600LT on a patrol flight. A submarine submerging in position ZGCB 4000 was sighted and attacked by the crew of the Anson, dropping his entire bomb load. Following this, the crew evacuated the target area to return to his base when fuel was draining away through shrapnel holes in the wing tanks, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing into the River Eden estuary, off Shelly Point, near the RAF Leuchars. Both crew members were rescued and the aircraft was lost.
Crew (233th Squadron):
P/O. G. J. D. Yorke,
Sgt D. J. Muir.

Probable cause:

Hit by enemy fire following a bombing process.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I off RAF Thorney Island

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K8704

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Thorney Island - Thorney Island

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training exercise on behalf of the 48th Squadron. On final approach in foggy conditions, the aircraft was too low and the pilot initiated a go around when an engine failed. The aircraft stalled, impacted the runway surface, overshot and finally crashed into the Emsworth Channel. The twin engine aircraft sank rapidly. All four crew members were rescued, two were injured.
Crew:
Sgt R. E. Williams, pilot,
Sgt F. Burton, copilot,
LAC J. Meek,
AC1 D. Hider.

Probable cause:

Engine failure while initiating a go around.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Montrose

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K6240

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After touchdown, the twin engine aircraft swerved and veered off runway, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a grassy area. Both pilots escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Little Rissington

Date & Time: Aug 25, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

L7903

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Little Rissington - Little Rissington

Location:

Little Rissington AFB

Gloucestershire

Country:

United Kingdom

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a local training flight out from RAF Little Rissington. On final approach, the twin engine aircraft was too low, hit a hedge and crashed. Both pilots were injured.

Probable cause:

Too low approach on part of the crew.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I on Mt Cauldron: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K6255

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Belfast – Abbotsinch

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft departed Belfast-Nutts Corner Airport bound for its base in Abbotsinch, together with 15 other similar aircraft. While approaching the Scottish coast, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility. Cruising too low, the aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Cauldron with its left wing and crashed near Inverkip. Three crew members were injured while the pilot was killed.
Crew:
Sgt Robson, pilot, †
LAC Ball,
AC1 Ward,
Harold John Reynolds.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I at RAF Leuchars

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K8834

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Leuchars - Leuchars

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to RAF Leuchars, the twin engine aircraft suffered an engine failure. It stalled and crashed in a ditch located short of runway. Both pilots were injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure on approach.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in Aberdeen

Date & Time: May 28, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K6239

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Aberdeen - Aberdeen

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local training flight at Aberdeen-Dyce Airport. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest. Both pilots escaped uninjured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the braking systems upon landing.

Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I in RAF Abbotsinch

Date & Time: May 20, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

K6259

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site: