Emergency beach landing near Cherbourg following low fuel

No fatalities • Cherbourg-Maupertus, France • Flight

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing on a beach in Cherbourg after fog prevented the crew from locating their intended destination.

What happened

While attempting to arrive at Cherbourg-Maupertus Airport, the flight crew encountered heavy fog that significantly reduced visibility. This weather condition made it impossible for the occupants to identify or locate the airfield during their approach.

As a result of the inability to reach the runway and facing critical fuel levels, the crew initiated an emergency descent toward the coast. The aircraft ultimately performed a landing on a beach located in Cherbourg. Although the impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, there were zero fatalities and no injuries reported among the two occupants.

Findings

  • Dense fog prevented the crew from visually acquiring the intended airport.
  • Low fuel reserves necessitated an immediate diversion to a secondary landing site.

Probable cause

The crew was forced to land on a beach due to insufficient fuel and the inability to locate the airport in low visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1963-06-12 Avro 652 Anson accident near Cherbourg-Maupertus, France?

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency landing on a beach in Cherbourg after fog prevented the crew from locating their intended destination.

Were there any fatalities in the 1963-06-12 Avro 652 Anson accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1963-06-12 involved a Avro 652 Anson, registration VM388, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Cherbourg-Maupertus, France.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew was forced to land on a beach due to insufficient fuel and the inability to locate the airport in low visibility.

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