On January 17, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8708) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Lewes, United Kingdom in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure to maintain adequate altitude awareness during a training flight in adverse weather conditions. 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 hillside near Lewes during a training flight from RAF Thorney Island in bad weather, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.
What happened
The incident involved a twin-engine aircraft operating out of RAF Thorney Island. The crew was conducting a training exercise when they encountered adverse weather conditions. While cruising through this poor visibility environment, the pilot failed to recognize that the altitude was insufficient. Consequently, the aircraft struck the slope of a hill situated within Kingstone Ridge, close to Lewes. The impact resulted in fatal injuries for both members of the flight crew.
Findings
The primary contributing factor identified was the crew's failure to maintain adequate altitude awareness while flying in bad weather. This lack of situational awareness led directly to the controlled flight into terrain event.
Probable cause
Failure to maintain adequate altitude awareness during a training flight in adverse weather conditions.
What happened in the 17 Jan 1939 Avro 652 Anson accident near Lewes, United Kingdom?
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a hillside near Lewes during a training flight from RAF Thorney Island in bad weather, resulting in the deaths of both pilots.
Were there any fatalities in the 17 Jan 1939 Avro 652 Anson accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 17 Jan 1939 involved an Avro 652 Anson, registration K8708, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Lewes, United Kingdom.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure to maintain adequate altitude awareness during a training flight in adverse weather conditions.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…