Site last updated 1st February 2012

Peak District Air Accident Research

Avro Anson Mk.I L7968 of the Central Navigation School crashed near Buxton, on the 15th October 1942 while on a night navigation exercise from RAF Cranage.

Crew / Passengers	Rank -if applicable	Position e.g. Pilot	Status
Paul Joseph Woodcock	Sergeant RAFVR	Pilot	Killed
James Munro Matheson	Sergeant RCAF	Pilot (u/t)	Killed
Richard James Reay	Sergeant RCAF	Pilot (u/t)	Killed
William Gordon Dale	Sergeant RAFVR	Wireless Op. / Air gunner	Killed

The crew had been returning to Cranage but had mistaken one of the navigation beacons so instead of flying towards the airfield flew away from it towards the high ground around Buxton. Before they were able to correct this error the aircraft struck the hillside killing all those on board.

Above is the view looking towards where the aircraft crashed, very little was found when we visited the crash site, if the aircraft had been a little higher it would have cleared the hill.

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