On December 12, 1938, an Avro 652 Anson (registration K8759) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Bircham Newton AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was on a too-low approach during final landing, leading to a collision with treetops. 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 struck treetops during final approach to RAF Bircham Newton, resulting in injuries to all four crew members and total loss of the airframe.
What happened
The incident occurred while the twin-engine aircraft was on final approach to RAF Bircham Newton. During this phase of flight, the airplane descended at an altitude that was too low for the conditions. As a result, the airframe made contact with treetops before ultimately crashing into a wooded area. The impact caused significant damage, leading to the destruction of the aircraft. All four members of the crew sustained injuries in the accident.
Findings
The official investigation identified the primary contributing factor as the crew's failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach phase. This too low approach was cited as the direct cause of the collision with terrain and vegetation.
Probable cause
The aircraft was on a too-low approach during final landing, leading to a collision with treetops.
What happened in the 12 Dec 1938 Avro 652 Anson accident near Bircham Newton AFB, United Kingdom?
A twin-engine aircraft struck treetops during final approach to RAF Bircham Newton, resulting in injuries to all four crew members and total loss of the airframe.
Were there any fatalities in the 12 Dec 1938 Avro 652 Anson accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 12 Dec 1938 involved an Avro 652 Anson, registration K8759, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Bircham Newton AFB, United Kingdom.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The aircraft was on a too-low approach during final landing, leading to a collision with treetops.
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…