Avro Anson Mk.I LT741 of No.10 AGS flew into Black Combe on the 2nd January 1945

 

Arthur James Wood Flight Sergeant Pilot Killed
Thomas William Johnson Warrant Officer Air Gunner (Inst) Killed
Kenneth David Jenkins Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air Gunner (u/t) Killed
James Leonard Turner Sergeant Wireless Operator / Air Gunner (u/t) Killed

The aircraft took off from Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness on what is currently Runway 35 and climbed on the runway heading into cloud. Less than 10 miles after take off the aircraft flew into very steep rocky ground on the east side of Black Combe at close to 1,700ft, having probably narrowly avoided the 1,600ft spur of the hill to the south.

Wreckage at the crash site of Avro Anson Mk.I LT741 on Black Combe
Very little remains where LT741 flew into the upper slopes of Black Combe. Spread across and area of crags are burnt fragments of the aircraft and a sizable quantity of exploded .303″ cartridges.

It was the 10th January before the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered, it was reported that three of the crew were found in the burnt out wreckage of the aircraft while the fourth was found some distance down the hill. He had suffered superficial burns and fractures to his lower right leg and was presumed to have died from the effects of exposure on what at the time was a snow-covered mountain.

Crash site of Avro Anson Mk.I LT741 on Black Combe near Millom, Cumbria
Looking up hill from the area where small fragments of the aircraft can be found.
Crash site of Avro Anson Mk.I LT741 on Black Combe near Millom, Cumbria
Looking down hill from the point of impact. Lower down there are some scattered pieces from the aircraft. For many years there were the remains of a Cheetah engine from the aircraft. This was recovered and put on display at the RAF Millom Museum, when the museum was closed it was sold to a private collector.