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Engine Failure Leads to Sea Ditching Off Saint Annes Head (Z9318)

Saint Annes Head, United KingdomFlight

On May 3, 1943, an Armstrong Whitworth AW.38 Whitley (registration Z9318) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Saint Annes Head, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure in flight. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced an engine failure during flight and was ditched into the sea off Saint Annes Head. All five crew members were rescued after spending seven and a half hours in a dinghy.

What happened

The incident occurred when the aircraft suffered an engine failure while in flight. Due to the loss of power, the crew was forced to ditch the machine into the sea near Saint Annes Head. Following the water landing, all five members of the crew were rescued by personnel from HMS Fury. The rescue operation took place after the aircrew had spent seven and a half hours waiting in their dinghy.

Findings

The official investigation identified the mechanical malfunction as the direct cause of the event. No other contributing factors or human errors were cited in the available records regarding this specific occurrence.

Probable cause

Engine failure in flight

Related events

Same operator

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