No fatalities

Four-engine aircraft overruns runway and enters river after brake failure (G-AIUP)

London-Heathrow, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On July 25, 1947, an Avro 685 York (registration G-AIUP) operated by Skyways of London was involved in an aviation accident near London-Heathrow, United Kingdom during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Brake system failure caused by a broken cable, likely resulting from excessive use in prior days. 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 four-engine aircraft failed to stop after landing due to brake issues, overran the runway by 250 yards into a river, resulting in four minor injuries among 24 occupants.

What happened

Following its approach and touchdown, the four-engine aircraft experienced significant difficulties with its braking system. Despite the crew's efforts to decelerate, the plane was unable to come to a halt within the available runway distance. Consequently, the aircraft overran the end of the paved surface and traveled an additional 250 yards before coming to rest in a river.

Emergency services responded to the scene, and all 24 occupants were successfully evacuated from the wreckage. While no fatalities were reported, four individuals sustained minor injuries during the incident. The structural damage sustained by the airframe led to it being declared a total loss.

Findings

Investigations into the event identified the primary mechanical issue as a failure of the brake systems. This malfunction was attributed to a broken cable within the braking mechanism. Authorities concluded that this component failure was likely exacerbated by excessive usage of the brakes during operations in the days leading up to the accident.

Probable cause

Brake system failure caused by a broken cable, likely resulting from excessive use in prior days.