Crash of an Avro 652 Anson I near Gilling West: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 16, 1940 at 1515 LT
Operator:
Registration:
L7924
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Cottesmore - Carlisle
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight from Cottesmore to Carlisle. Just after starting the descent in poor visibility, the twin engine aircraft hit a tree and crashed onto a hill side located near Gilling West, northeast of Richmond. All five crew members were killed.
Crew (14th OTU):
Sgt Sidney John Howard, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Hurst, pilot,
Sgt Stanley Robert Sumner, pilot,
Sgt Thomas Huntley Todd, wireless operator,
Sgt Cyril Murray, wireless operator and air gunner.
Crew (14th OTU):
Sgt Sidney John Howard, pilot,
Sgt Arthur Hurst, pilot,
Sgt Stanley Robert Sumner, pilot,
Sgt Thomas Huntley Todd, wireless operator,
Sgt Cyril Murray, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Premature descent in poor visibility, resulting in a controlled flight into terrain.
