On December 18, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration N4887) operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF was involved in an aviation accident near Richmond, Australia during takeoff. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control was attributed to an engine failure that occurred shortly after the aircraft rotated for takeoff. 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.
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a golf course shortly after takeoff from Richmond Airport during the initial climb phase, resulting in the deaths of all five occupants on board.
What happened
The incident occurred immediately following departure from Richmond Airport. While executing the initial climb phase of flight, the twin-engine aircraft experienced a stall. The loss of control resulted in the airframe impacting the ground and crashing onto an adjacent golf course. All five individuals on board perished in the accident.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the immediate cause of the accident was an engine failure occurring shortly after rotation. This mechanical issue led to a loss of control during the critical early climb stage, which ultimately caused the crash.
Probable cause
The loss of control was attributed to an engine failure that occurred shortly after the aircraft rotated for takeoff.
What happened in the 18 Dec 1939 Avro 652 Anson accident near Richmond, Australia?
A twin-engine aircraft crashed into a golf course shortly after takeoff from Richmond Airport during the initial climb phase, resulting in the deaths of all five occupants on board.
Were there any fatalities in the 18 Dec 1939 Avro 652 Anson accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Dec 1939 involved an Avro 652 Anson, registration N4887, operated by Royal Australian Air Force - RAAF, at Richmond, Australia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The loss of control was attributed to an engine failure that occurred shortly after the aircraft rotated for takeoff.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…