No fatalities

Bomber shot down and crash lands near Koritsa (L8374)

Koritsa, AlbaniaFlight

On December 22, 1940, a Bristol 142 Blenheim (registration L8374) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Koritsa, Albania in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-27Data APIEditorial standards

A military bomber was hit by enemy fire and forced to make an emergency landing near Koritsa. Both crew members evacuated the aircraft with minor injuries.

What happened

During a mission, the bomber came under attack from opposing forces. The aircraft sustained damage from enemy fire, which compromised its ability to continue flight safely. As a result, the crew initiated an emergency procedure and crash landed in the vicinity of Koritsa.

Following the impact, both members of the crew successfully evacuated the wreckage. They reported sustaining only minor injuries during the incident. The specific registration of the aircraft is not provided in the available records.

Findings

The official investigation concluded that the primary cause of the accident was the damage inflicted by hostile action. The sequence of events indicates that the loss of control or structural integrity due to this external attack necessitated the emergency landing.

Probable cause

The aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 22 Dec 1940 Bristol 142 Blenheim accident near Koritsa, Albania?

A military bomber was hit by enemy fire and forced to make an emergency landing near Koritsa. Both crew members evacuated the aircraft with minor injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 22 Dec 1940 Bristol 142 Blenheim accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 22 Dec 1940 involved a Bristol 142 Blenheim, registration L8374, operated by Royal Air Force - RAF, at Koritsa, Albania.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.