5 fatalities

Training Flight Crash Near Northwich Kills Five (K8791)

Northwich, United KingdomFlight

On June 17, 1943, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8791) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Northwich, United Kingdom in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure during flight. 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 military aircraft crashed into a field near Northwich after suffering an engine failure during a training mission, resulting in the deaths of all five crew members on board.

What happened

The incident occurred while the aircraft was conducting a routine training flight. During the operation, the airplane experienced a sudden engine failure. This mechanical issue caused the airframe to enter an uncontrolled descent. As the aircraft lost altitude and control, it suffered structural damage, specifically losing one wing before impacting the ground. The wreckage came to rest in a field located near Northwich. All five individuals on board were killed in the crash.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by an engine failure while the aircraft was in flight. This mechanical malfunction led directly to the loss of control and the subsequent fatal impact.

Probable cause

Engine failure during flight