Avro Anson Mk.I L7949 of No.12 Elementery & Reserve Flying Training School, based at Prestwick, crashed on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch on the 19th September 1938 while flying from Newcastle to Prestwick

 

John Charlesley Flying Officer Pilot Injured
Hubert Gordon ? ? Injured
Percival Davidson ? ? Injured
William Nicol ? ? Injured

 

The crash was reported in the Scotsman as occurring while the aircraft was descending through cloud towards Prestwick while flying from Newcastle.  The aircraft’s pilot John Charlesley walked the mile or so off the hill to the nearest farm to get help, he was followed shortly after by William Nicol.  The other two occupants required part of the aircraft to be cut away for them to escape the wreck.

Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine at the crash site of Avro Anson L7949 on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch
The largest remaining item at the site is one of the aircraft’s two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engines as shown above.
Crash site of Avro Anson L7949 on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch
Above is a view across the site showing the remains of the aircraft.
Undercarriage wreckage at the crash site of Avro Anson L7949 on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch
Another photograph showing the site with a single oleo in the centre of the site.
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine near the crash site of Avro Anson L7949 on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch
Some distance away from the site and embedded in a bog is the other Cheetah engine
Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah engine near the crash site of Avro Anson L7949 on Lairdside Hill near Lochwinnoch
Above is another view of the second engine from the aircraft.