1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision

1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision

The Avro Ansons after landing safely, having collided in mid-air and locked together, 29 September 1940
Accident
Date	29 September 1940
Summary	Mid-air collision
Site	Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia 35°51′12″S 146°38′09″E / 35.85333°S 146.63583°E / -35.85333; 146.63583
Total fatalities	0
Total injuries	1
Total survivors	4
First aircraft
Type	Avro Anson
Operator	No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF
Registration	N4876
Flight origin	RAAF Station Forest Hill, New South Wales
Destination	Corowa, New South Wales
Occupants	2
Crew	2
Injuries	0
Survivors	2
Second aircraft
Type	Avro Anson
Operator	No. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF
Registration	L9162
Flight origin	RAAF Station Forest Hill, New South Wales
Destination	Corowa, New South Wales
Occupants	2
Crew	2
Injuries	1
Survivors	2

On 29 September 1940, a mid-air collision occurred over Brocklesby, New South Wales, Australia. The accident was unusual in that the aircraft involved, two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Avro Ansons of No. 2 Service Flying Training School, remained locked together after colliding, and then landed safely. The collision stopped the engines of the upper Anson, but those of the one underneath continued to run, allowing the aircraft to keep flying. Both navigators and the pilot of the lower Anson bailed out. The pilot of the upper Anson found that he was able to control the interlocked aircraft with his ailerons and flaps, and made an emergency landing in a nearby paddock. All four crewmen survived the incident. The upper Anson was repaired and returned to flight service; the lower Anson was used as an instructional airframe.