IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
AIRCRAFT DESCRIPTION: #
The Avro Anson Mk II was a British-built twin-engine aircraft primarily used for training purposes by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. It was a versatile aircraft employed in a variety of roles, including navigation, bombing, and gunnery training. The Anson was known for its reliability and was a crucial part of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
HISTORY & FINAL INCIDENT: #
On a routine instrument training exercise, Anson 7207 from the 31 Bombing & Gunnery School, RCAF Picton, tragically crashed into Lake Ontario near Waupoos Island. The incident occurred during what was meant to be a standard training flight, designed to provide pilots with essential experience in operating the aircraft under instrument conditions.
Eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft was performing a stall turn followed by a loop, maneuvers that are consistent with aerobatic displays rather than the expected flight path for such a training mission. Unfortunately, the aircraft failed to recover from the loop and plunged straight into Lake Ontario. Subsequent investigations determined that the cause of the crash was unauthorized low flying, a breach of protocol that led to the loss of the aircraft and crew.
This incident highlights the dangers of deviating from standard operating procedures, especially in training environments where strict adherence to safety protocols is essential. The crash of Anson 7207 serves as a somber reminder of the risks involved in military aviation training and the consequences of unauthorized maneuvers.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The Anson 7207 was lost in the crash, with no survivors. The aircraft was irrecoverably submerged in Lake Ontario following the impact.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Anson 7207 crash site are noted, but the area near Waupoos Island in Lake Ontario remains part of the historical record of wartime training activities and associated risks.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The crash was observed by eyewitnesses and was later confirmed by RCAF investigation reports, which determined unauthorized low flying as the cause.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
- Canadian Aviation Safety Information Portal (CASPIR)
- Heritage Canadiana Collection
- RAF Commands Database
- Key Aero Article on Anson II
- Find A Grave Memorial for Raymond Cecil Evans Brown
- Find A Grave Memorial for William Craig Rodger
KEYWORDS: #
Anson 7207, RCAF, Lake Ontario Crash, 31 Bombing & Gunnery School, Waupoos Island, Unauthorized Low Flying, Aviation Training Accident, World War II Aircraft Crash.
ANALYSIS: #
The crash of Anson 7207 is a poignant example of the inherent risks of military flight training, particularly when standard procedures are not followed. The unauthorized low flying that led to this tragedy underscores the critical importance of discipline and adherence to safety protocols in aviation. This incident, while tragic, provides valuable lessons in the necessity of following strict guidelines during training exercises, especially in complex and potentially dangerous maneuvers.