No fatalities

Night Training Accident: Twin-Engine Aircraft Ditched in English Channel (K8790)

Selsey, United KingdomFlight

On October 20, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8790) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Selsey, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Dual engine failure resulting from fuel exhaustion. 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 into the English Channel off West Sussex after both engines failed during a night training exercise. Both pilots were rescued, and the aircraft was lost.

What happened

During a night training exercise along the coast of West Sussex, an aircraft experienced a total loss of power when both engines failed. The crew initiated an emergency ditching procedure, bringing the machine down into the waters of The Channel near Sisley. As the aircraft sank and was subsequently lost, rescue teams quickly recovered both pilots from the water.

Findings

The official investigation determined that the incident resulted from a dual engine failure triggered by fuel exhaustion. This mechanical issue led directly to the loss of thrust necessary for continued flight, forcing the emergency landing in the sea.

Probable cause

Dual engine failure resulting from fuel exhaustion.