4 fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crashes into hillside near Barmouth during training flight (EF953)

Barmouth, United KingdomFlight

On December 26, 1943, an Avro 652 Anson (registration EF953) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Barmouth, United Kingdom in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Bwlch y Llan while cruising at low altitude. 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 struck the slope of Mt Bwlch y Llan while on a training flight near Barmouth, Wales. The impact destroyed the plane and killed all four occupants.

What happened

The incident occurred during a routine training exercise in the vicinity of Barmouth, Wales. At the time of the accident, the crew was piloting a twin-engine aircraft at a cruising altitude of approximately 1,000 feet. While flying over the area, the aircraft collided with the slope of Mt Bwlch y Llan. The force of the impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All 4 occupants on board were killed in the crash.

Findings

The source material identifies the victims as members of the 9th Air Fighting Unit (AFU). The fatalities included the pilot, two navigators, and a wireless operator who also served as an air gunner. No specific mechanical failures or human error factors are detailed in the provided text beyond the collision with terrain.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Bwlch y Llan while cruising at low altitude.