4 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crash in Barrow-in-Furness After Cable Collision (W2631)

Barrow-in-Furness, United KingdomFlight

On May 5, 1942, an Avro 652 Anson (registration W2631) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft collided with a balloon cable while cruising, leading to an uncontrolled descent and crash. 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

A twin-engine aircraft crashed into the Cavendish Dock in Barrow-in-Furness after colliding with a balloon cable during a training mission, resulting in four fatalities.

What happened

The incident involved a twin-engine airplane operating on a training mission. The flight originated from RAF Wigtown. While maintaining a cruising altitude of 2,500 feet, the aircraft encountered an obstruction in the form of a balloon cable. This collision caused the plane to enter an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft ultimately impacted the water at the Cavendish Dock in Barrow-in-Furness. All four members of the crew were killed in the accident.

Findings

The official investigation identified the primary factor behind the crash as an in-flight collision with a balloon cable. This impact led to the loss of control that resulted in the fatal descent.

Probable cause

The aircraft collided with a balloon cable while cruising, leading to an uncontrolled descent and crash.