No fatalities

Night Training Incident Involving Wheels-Up Landing at Groombridge (K8816)

Groombridge, United KingdomFlight

On August 7, 1938, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8816) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Groombridge, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A military aircraft conducting a night training exercise near RAF Leuchars executed an emergency wheels-up landing in a field at Groombridge, resulting in total loss of the airframe but no injuries to the three crew members.

What happened

During a night training exercise departing from RAF Leuchars, the flight crew encountered technical difficulties that necessitated an immediate emergency response. Unable to continue the mission or return safely, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure in an open field located in Groombridge. The aircraft touched down without its landing gear extended, resulting in a wheels-up impact. The airframe sustained severe structural damage and was declared beyond repair. All three members of the crew, assigned to the 224th Squadron, evacuated the wreckage safely and were reported as uninjured.