•Wreck Name: RCAF Anson 6831
•Location: Believed to have crashed near the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, on the American side of the border.
•Coordinates: Exact coordinates are unknown due to the lack of a confirmed crash site.
•Depth: Not applicable as the wreck was believed to have landed on land or in shallow waters.
Aircraft Type Description #
The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi-purpose aircraft primarily used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during World War II. Initially designed for maritime reconnaissance, it evolved into a versatile trainer, playing a crucial role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). The aircraft was known for its low-wing cantilever monoplane design, capable of carrying a crew of four to five. Its roles included navigation, bombing practice, and wireless telegraphy training, making it essential to the Allied war effort.
History #
The RCAF Anson 6831 was operated by the 1 Air Observer School (AOS) under the BCATP, which trained thousands of aircrew for the Allied forces during World War II. The aircraft departed from RCAF St. Jean, Quebec, on January 8, 1942, for a routine training flight to RCAF Malton, Ontario, with a civilian pilot and three air observers—two from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and one from the RCAF. However, worsening weather conditions, including snow and high winds, led to difficulties in navigation and communication.
The last recorded contact with Anson 6831 was over Montreal, and despite a large-scale search in both southeastern Ontario and northern New York State, the aircraft and its crew were never immediately located. It wasn’t until April 1942 that wreckage believed to belong to the aircraft was found at Point Peninsula, New York, though the crew’s remains were never recovered, and the exact wreck site remains unconfirmed.
Final Disposition #
RCAF Anson 6831 was lost during a training mission in January 1942. The aircraft’s wreckage was partially discovered in April 1942 near Point Peninsula, New York, but the remains of the crew were never found. The incident remains shrouded in mystery, and no confirmed crash site has been established.
NOTAMs & Advisories #
There are no specific Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) associated with the crash site due to the uncertainty of its exact location and the fact that the wreckage was believed to have landed on land or in shallow waters.
(Note: You may need to search for the specific crash card related to RCAF Anson 6831)
(Explore historical records related to Canadian aviation and military history)
•Find A Grave – Cyril B. Rutherford
(Memorial for one of the crew members of RCAF Anson 6831)
•Find A Grave – Alexander M. Morgan
(Memorial for another crew member of RCAF Anson 6831)
•Montreal Gazette, January 10, 1942, p17
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