No fatalities

Training Aircraft Crash Landing During Approach (PH716)

Hawarden AFB, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On September 5, 1949, an Avro 652 Anson (registration PH716) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Hawarden AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure during approach leading to a crash landing and collision with ground obstacles. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A training aircraft experienced an engine failure on approach, resulting in a crash landing in a field where it struck a concrete block and was written off, with no injuries to the crew.

What happened

The flight crew was conducting a local training sortie when an incident occurred during the approach phase. An engine failure forced the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. The pilot executed a crash landing in a field located short of the runway threshold. Upon impact, the airframe struck a concrete block, which caused the undercarriage to be lost before the aircraft came to a complete halt.

Findings

Although the accident resulted in the total loss of the airframe, all three members of the crew remained unhurt. The structural damage sustained from hitting the concrete block and the subsequent loss of the landing gear led to the decision to write off the aircraft.

Probable cause

Engine failure during approach leading to a crash landing and collision with ground obstacles.