1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision

1940 Brocklesby mid-air collision
Side view of two military monoplanes lying wheels up on a field, one atop the other
The Avro Ansons after landing safely, having collided in mid-air and locked together, 29 September 1940
Accident
Date29 September 1940
SummaryMid-air collision
SiteBrocklesby, New South Wales, Australia
35°51′12″S 146°38′09″E / 35.85333°S 146.63583°E / -35.85333; 146.63583
Total fatalities0
Total injuries1
Total survivors4
First aircraft
TypeAvro Anson
OperatorNo. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF
RegistrationN4876
Flight originRAAF Station Forest Hill, New South Wales
DestinationCorowa, New South Wales
Occupants2
Crew2
Injuries0
Survivors2
Second aircraft
TypeAvro Anson
OperatorNo. 2 Service Flying Training School RAAF
RegistrationL9162
Flight originRAAF Station Forest Hill, New South Wales
DestinationCorowa, New South Wales
Occupants2
Crew2
Injuries1
Survivors2

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.