6 fatalities

Training Flight Crashes at RAF Newton After Go-Around (VS507)

Newton AFB, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On December 4, 1953, an Avro 652 Anson (registration VS507) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Newton AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a local training flight at RAF Newton, poor weather and fog patches caused the pilot to lose sight of the runway, leading to a go-around. The aircraft stalled and crashed with an explosion, killing six crew members and seriously injuring one. The aircraft's weight exceeded its maximum landing weight.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft was conducting a local training flight at RAF Newton. On final approach, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. After descending through the last cloud layer at an altitude of 200 feet, the runway became visible. However, patches of fog intermittently obscured the runway, causing the pilot to lose visual contact. The pilot decided to abort the landing and initiate a go-around. Shortly after the go-around was initiated, the aircraft climbed slightly, then stalled. The stall resulted in an uncontrolled descent, and the aircraft crashed with a large explosion.

Casualties and Damage

Of the seven crew members on board, six were killed in the accident. The seventh crew member sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the crash and subsequent explosion.

Contributory Factors

It was reported that the total weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was above its maximum landing weight. This condition was considered as a contributory factor in the accident.