On March 2, 1940, an Avro 652 Anson (registration N9879) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Llanthony, United Kingdom in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of situational awareness due to poor visibility caused by night conditions and a thick cloud layer led to controlled flight into terrain. 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.
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a hill near Hay Bluff during a night training exercise due to poor visibility and cloud cover, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.
What happened
The incident occurred during a night training exercise conducted on behalf of the 6th Air Observers School. While en route, the flight crew lost their position because of reduced visibility caused by darkness and a thick layer of clouds. At an altitude of approximately 660 metres, the twin-engine aircraft struck a hillside near Hay Bluff. The impact destroyed the airframe completely.
Findings
The crash resulted in the death of one member of the crew. The remaining three occupants sustained injuries. The primary contributing factor was the combination of night conditions and dense cloud cover, which prevented the crew from maintaining situational awareness until the terrain impact.
Probable cause
Loss of situational awareness due to poor visibility caused by night conditions and a thick cloud layer led to controlled flight into terrain.
What happened in the 2 Mar 1940 Avro 652 Anson accident near Llanthony, United Kingdom?
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a hill near Hay Bluff during a night training exercise due to poor visibility and cloud cover, resulting in one fatality and three injuries.
Were there any fatalities in the 2 Mar 1940 Avro 652 Anson accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Mar 1940 involved an Avro 652 Anson, registration N9879, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Llanthony, United Kingdom.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Loss of situational awareness due to poor visibility caused by night conditions and a thick cloud layer led to controlled flight into terrain.
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