4 fatalities

Twin-engine aircraft crash during night approach near Portage la Prairie (6077)

Portage la Prairie, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 13, 1942, an Avro 652 Anson (registration 6077) operated by Royal Canadian Air Force - RCAF was involved in an aviation accident near Portage la Prairie, Canada during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent during a night approach 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 airplane crashed in a field north of Portage la Prairie during a night navigation exercise, resulting in the deaths of all four crew members on board.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a navigation exercise originating from Portage la Prairie. During the return leg to base, the aircraft initiated a night approach at an altitude between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. At this stage, the twin-engine airplane entered an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft subsequently crashed in an almost vertical dive into a field situated approximately 3 kilometers north of the airport.

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All four individuals on board were killed in the accident. The crew consisted of a civil pilot, a wireless operator and air gunner, a navigator, and another crew member associated with the 7th AOS unit.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent during a night approach at low altitude.