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Night training flight ditched off Eddystone Lighthouse after dual engine failure (K8712)

Plymouth, United KingdomFlight

On January 15, 1940, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8712) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Plymouth, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from the crew losing spatial orientation in poor visibility, which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent dual 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 twin-engine aircraft ditched three kilometers south of Plymouth during a night exercise when both engines stopped due to running out of fuel. Both pilots were rescued from the water, and the airframe was lost.

What happened

The incident occurred during a night training exercise conducted by the crew. While operating in poor visibility conditions, the aircraft experienced a loss of orientation. This situation led to both engines failing due to fuel exhaustion. Unable to maintain flight or reach an airfield, the crew executed a controlled ditching maneuver. The aircraft came to rest approximately three kilometers off the coast near the Eddystone Lighthouse, south of Plymouth.

Both members of the crew were successfully rescued from the water following the impact. The aircraft was not recovered and is recorded as lost.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from the crew losing spatial orientation in poor visibility, which led to fuel exhaustion and subsequent dual engine failure.

Related events

Same operator

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