Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Avro Anson Mk.I DJ680 of No.2 (Observer) Advanced Flying Unit crashed near Hollingworth on the 20th March 1944.

Crew / Passengers	Rank -if applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
H. E. Rimmer	Flight Sergeant	Pilot	Survived
Alan Boyd	Flight Sergeant	Wireless Operator	Survived
Norman Kerr	Pilot Officer	Passenger	Survived
Jacobs	Sergeant	Passenger	Survived
D.J. Mance	Sergeant	Passenger	Survived

The flight was recorded as being a Navigation Training exercise from RAF Millom in south west Cumbria, while flying in low cloud at 07:15 the aircraft struck Hollingworth Moor. The aircraft was not declared a write off, but was Category B meaning that it was damaged to the point that it could not be repaired on site but would be recovered to a Maintenance Unit where it could be repaired.

This was not the first encounter with a hill that the aircraft had during its RAF service.

On the 4th October 1942 while in service with No.1 Air Observer School at Wigtown the aircraft had crashed on Pibble Hill near Gatehouse of Fleet while on night navigation exercise. One of the trainee navigators, LAC Livermore, was injured in the crash. He was later taken off aircrew training on the recommendation of an RAF Psychiatrist as he had developed a fear of flying following the crash and 26 hours on the hill waiting for rescue.

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