No fatalities

Croydon Airport engine failure crash (G-ALFJ)

Croydon, United KingdomTakeoff (climb)

On March 8, 1949, an Avro 652 Anson (registration G-ALFJ) operated by Private Great Britain was involved in an aviation accident near Croydon, United Kingdom during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official investigation determined that an engine failure was the primary cause of the accident. 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

An aircraft crashed into a hangar shortly after takeoff from Croydon Airport due to an engine failure during initial climb. The pilot was rescued without injury, and no other persons were hurt.

What happened

The incident occurred immediately following departure from Croydon Airport. While the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, it experienced a mechanical issue that led to a loss of power. As a result, the plane stalled and descended uncontrolled, ultimately striking a hangar on the ground.

Emergency responders successfully extracted the pilot from the wreckage. The individual sustained no injuries during the rescue operation. Additionally, there were no reports of injuries to any personnel or individuals inside the affected hangar structure. The impact caused extensive damage to the airframe, rendering it beyond economic repair.

Probable cause

The official investigation determined that an engine failure was the primary cause of the accident.