No fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crash During Night Training Exercise (N5196)

Cranfield, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On November 15, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration N5196) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Cranfield, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure shortly after rotation caused the aircraft to stall and crash into an open field. 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 crashed into an open field shortly after takeoff during a solo night training flight, resulting in minor injuries to the pilot and total loss of the airframe.

What happened

The incident occurred while the pilot was conducting a solo night training exercise. Shortly after rotation, the twin-engine aircraft experienced an engine failure that led to an immediate stall. The aircraft subsequently crashed into an open field located past the end of the runway. As a result of the impact, the airframe sustained damage beyond repair. The pilot survived the accident with minor injuries.

Findings

Official investigations identified engine failure shortly after rotation as the primary cause of the accident. This mechanical issue prevented the aircraft from maintaining lift and speed required for safe flight, leading to the stall and subsequent ground impact.

Probable cause

Engine failure shortly after rotation caused the aircraft to stall and crash into an open field.