2 fatalities

RAF Worthy Down Exercise Accident in Compton (J8237)

Compton, United KingdomFlight

On October 6, 1932, a Vickers Virginia (registration J8237) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Compton, United Kingdom in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official findings attributed the accident to engine problems. 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight from RAF Worthy Down, an aircraft suffered engine failure after passing Farncombe. Three crew members ejected before the plane crashed into a pasture in Compton, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

The incident occurred during an exercise flight that departed from RAF Worthy Down. As the aircraft progressed along its route and passed over Farncombe, one of the engines began to misfire. In response to the mechanical issue, three members of the crew ejected from the airplane. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a pasture in Compton shortly after the ejections.

The accident resulted in two fatalities and one injury among the personnel involved. While the source material lists six individuals associated with the crew, it specifies that only three bailed out, indicating the fate of the remaining personnel is not detailed in this specific account of the crash sequence.

Probable cause

The official findings attributed the accident to engine problems.