2 fatalities

Mid-air collision between two Avro Ansons near Weston-on-the-Green (N5177)

Weston-on-the-Green, United KingdomFlight

On October 31, 1939, an Avro 652 Anson (registration N5177) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Weston-on-the-Green, United Kingdom in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Mid-air collision between two aircraft during a training mission. 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

Two RAF Avro 652 Anson I aircraft collided mid-air during a training mission near Weston-on-the-Green, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members on board.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a training mission for the 108th Squadron. During flight, the twin-engine aircraft involved in the exercise collided with another Avro 652 Anson I registered as N5158, which was carrying one pilot. Following the mid-air collision, both aircraft crashed into a prairie located in Weston-on-the-Green, approximately 6 km southwest of RAF Bicester. The impact resulted in fatal injuries to all personnel on board; all three crew members across both aircraft were killed.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical findings or contributing factors beyond the description of the mid-air collision during a training exercise.

Probable cause

Mid-air collision between two aircraft during a training mission.