4 fatalities

Maritime patrol aircraft crash off Orkney Islands (K6286)

Stronsay, United KingdomFlight

On December 27, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K6286) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Stronsay, United Kingdom in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure. 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 maritime patrol aircraft crashed into the sea near the Orkney Islands after an engine failure, resulting in the deaths of all four crew members aboard.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a maritime patrol flight off the coast of the Orkney Islands. During the mission, the pilot experienced a mechanical issue that led to a loss of control over the aircraft. The plane subsequently crashed, resulting in fatal injuries for everyone on board.

Findings

The official investigation identified the primary cause of the accident as an engine failure. This mechanical malfunction prevented the crew from maintaining control of the aircraft, leading to the crash. All four members of the crew were killed in the incident.

Probable cause

Engine failure