Investigation Summary
The collision occurred during a cross-country training exercise involving two twin-engine Avro Ansons. The exercise was part of the Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS), a massive program to train RAAF pilots for service in World War II. The planned route was to take the aircraft from RAAF Station Forest Hill to Corowa, then to Narrandera, and finally back to Forest Hill. While performing a turn at approximately 3,000 feet, the aircraft piloted by Leonard Fuller (N4876) was positioned slightly above the aircraft piloted by Jack Hewson (L9162). Fuller lost sight of the lower aircraft, and the two collided. The impact caused the engines of the upper aircraft to stop as its propellers bit into the engine cowlings of the lower aircraft, but the lower aircraft's engines continued to run at full power. The force of the collision wedged the two fuselages together, with the upper Anson's nose resting over the lower one's cockpit. Hewson, the lower pilot, suffered a back injury and bailed out along with both navigators. Fuller remained at the controls, realizing the combined mass was stable enough to fly. He steered the 'piggyback' pair for approximately eight kilometers, executing a successful emergency landing that saved both airframes and prevented ground casualties.
Final Conclusions
The accident was attributed to a mid-air collision during formation maneuvering where the upper pilot lost visual contact with the lower aircraft. The successful outcome was credited to the exceptional airmanship and presence of mind of Leading Aircraftman Leonard Fuller. The Australian Air Board issued a commendation for his courage and determination. Both aircraft were recovered; N4876 was repaired and returned to service, while L9162 became an instructional airframe. Fuller later saw active service in the Middle East and Europe, earning the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) for his actions over Palermo in March 1942. In an ironic post-script to the event, Leonard Fuller, who survived this extraordinary mid-air collision and combat service, died on 18 March 1944 after being struck by a bus while riding his bicycle near Sale, Victoria.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
Mid Air Collision - Avro Anson. The Piggy Back Crash Landing 1940 — A detailed account of the mid-air collision between two RAAF Avro Ansons that became locked together and were landed safely by a single pilot.
If playback is blocked, the owner has disabled embedding — use the link above.
Airframe & Maintenance
No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF N4876 — Avro Anson · N4876
No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF L9162 — Avro Anson · L9162
Systems & Failure Modes
Ailerons and Flaps
Fuller used the control surfaces of the upper aircraft to steer the combined mass, as the lower aircraft's controls were locked or inaccessible.
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah IX Engines
The engines of the lower aircraft remained operational at high power, providing the necessary thrust to keep the interlocked pair airborne.
Interesting Facts
- 01The collision occurred at an altitude of approximately 3,000 feet.
- 02The upper aircraft (N4876) was powered by the engines of the lower aircraft (L9162) during the descent.
- 03Fuller flew the interlocked aircraft for approximately eight kilometers (five miles) after the collision.
- 04The total value of the military hardware saved was estimated at £40,000 in 1940 terms.
- 05All four crew members survived the collision and subsequent landing.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Commendation for Airmanship
The Australian Air Board commended Fuller for his presence of mind and skill in landing the locked aircraft under difficult conditions.