No fatalities

Training Flight Emergency Landing at RAF Upwood (N5112)

Towcester, United KingdomFlight

On June 5, 1940, an Avro 652 Anson (registration N5112) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Towcester, United Kingdom in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure in flight. 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 training aircraft experienced an engine failure shortly after departing RAF Upwood, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing in a field where it struck a hedge. All four occupants survived without injury.

What happened

The incident occurred during a morning training exercise conducted by the 17th OTU. The aircraft departed from RAF Upwood and was en route when an engine failure occurred. This mechanical issue forced the crew to execute an emergency landing in an open field nearby. Upon touchdown, the airframe collided with a hedge before coming to a complete stop. Despite the impact and the subsequent damage, all four individuals on board were unhurt. The aircraft sustained extensive damage that rendered it damaged beyond repair.

Findings

The official investigation attributed the accident to an engine failure in flight. This mechanical malfunction was the primary factor that necessitated the emergency landing procedure, leading to the final collision with the vegetation.

Probable cause

Engine failure in flight