Investigation Summary
The British European Airways (BEA) Dakota, registration G-AHCW, departed Northolt at 09:13 GMT bound for Glasgow with four crew members and six passengers. Simultaneously, an RAF Avro Anson T21, registration VV243, was conducting a cross-country training exercise from RAF Middleton St. George to RAF Mepal with four crew members on board. The aircraft converged over Warwickshire at approximately 09:45 GMT. Investigation of the wreckage and witness accounts indicated that the aircraft collided in an almost nose-to-nose geometry, with the Avro Anson striking the Dakota at the root of the airliner's right wing. The impact was so severe that the Dakota's wing was sheared off, and both aircraft were destroyed by a subsequent explosion. Despite the clear visibility, neither crew initiated evasive maneuvers. The wreckage fell near the Exhall Lodge Hospital, an old peoples' home, though no injuries were reported on the ground. The subsequent investigation highlighted the inherent risks of VFR flight in shared airspace, particularly the reliance on 'see and avoid' principles which failed in this instance due to the relative positions of the aircraft and environmental factors like sun glare.
Final Conclusions
The accident investigation concluded that the crew of neither aircraft saw the other prior to the collision. The blame was attributed to a failure on the part of both Captains to keep a proper look-out for other aircraft. Sun glare was cited as a significant contributing factor that likely hindered the visibility of the opposing aircraft.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
A set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going. Safety relies on the 'see and avoid' principle.
Interesting Facts
- 01The collision occurred in clear weather conditions.
- 02Both aircraft were operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
- 03The RAF Avro Anson was on a cross-country training exercise from RAF Middleton St. George.
- 04The BEA Dakota was on a scheduled passenger flight from London to Glasgow.
- 05All 10 people on the Dakota and all 4 people on the Anson were killed.
Safety Actions & Advisories
VFR Airspace Review
Following the accident, the investigation emphasized the limitations of the 'see and avoid' principle in clear weather. This led to increased scrutiny of VFR flight procedures in shared civil-military airspace and contributed to the eventual development of more structured air traffic control corridors to separate commercial and military traffic.