3 fatalities

RAF Worthy Down Training Accident Involving Wing Strike on Building (J8241)

Worthy Down AFB (Winchester), United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On January 19, 1931, a Vickers Virginia (registration J8241) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Worthy Down AFB (Winchester), United Kingdom during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of altitude due to engine power reduction during approach resulted in a wing strike on a building. 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

A training aircraft crashed into a station building during approach at RAF Worthy Down after losing altitude, resulting in three fatalities and multiple injuries.

What happened

The crew departed RAF Worthy Down to conduct a local training mission. During the approach phase, while flying at an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the pilot-in-command reduced engine power by throttling back. This action caused the aircraft to lose height unexpectedly. As the airplane descended, the left wing struck the station headquarter building before the aircraft crashed. The impact resulted in three fatalities among the occupants and injured a fourth person on board. Additionally, nine individuals inside the building sustained injuries in the incident.

Findings

The accident occurred during a routine local training flight. The critical sequence involved the reduction of engine power during the approach, which led to an uncontrolled loss of altitude. This loss of height directly caused the left wing to collide with the adjacent infrastructure, leading to the crash and subsequent casualties.

Probable cause

Loss of altitude due to engine power reduction during approach resulted in a wing strike on a building.