Identification & Site Information
•Type of Incident: Aircraft Crash
•Location: Lake Ontario, near Waupoos Island, Ontario, Canada
•Aircraft Type: Avro Anson Mk II (Serial No. 7207)
•Squadron: 31 Bombing & Gunnery School (31 BGS), RCAF Picton, Ontario
•Date of Incident: Not specified in sources
Aircraft Description
The Avro Anson Mk II was a twin-engine training aircraft built during World War II and used extensively by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) for navigation, bombing, and gunnery training. It played a pivotal role in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, offering a reliable platform for training aircrew in various disciplines. The Mk II variant was particularly noted for its wooden fuselage and fixed landing gear, making it durable and economical for training purposes.
History & Final Incident
Anson 7207 was assigned to the 31 Bombing & Gunnery School at RCAF Picton, Ontario, where it was used for instrument and navigation training. During a routine training exercise, the aircraft crashed into Lake Ontario near Waupoos Island under tragic circumstances.
Eyewitness accounts reported that the aircraft was performing unauthorized aerobatic maneuvers, including a stall turn and loop, before failing to recover and plunging into the lake. These actions were inconsistent with the mission parameters for an instrument training flight. Investigators attributed the crash to unauthorized low flying, a clear violation of protocol.
The crash resulted in the loss of the aircraft and its crew. This tragedy underscores the critical importance of adhering to flight safety guidelines, particularly during training missions, where the risks of inexperienced crew or deviation from protocol can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Final Disposition
The aircraft, Anson 7207, sank irretrievably into Lake Ontario after impact. No survivors were reported, and the site became a solemn part of Canada’s wartime aviation history.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the crash site of Anson 7207. The area around Waupoos Island is a historical site tied to the intense training activities of World War II, though it poses no navigational hazards today.
Located By & Date
The crash was documented through eyewitness reports and subsequent RCAF investigations. The exact location was confirmed near Waupoos Island, though the precise underwater site of the wreck has not been fully explored or recovered.
Resources & Links
•Canadian Aviation Safety Information Portal (CASPIR): Details on historical aviation incidents in Canada.
•Heritage Canadiana Collection: Archival material on RCAF operations during WWII.
•RAF Commands Database: Comprehensive resource on wartime aircraft and operations.
•Find A Grave Memorials: Tributes to the crew members involved in the crash.
Keywords
#AvroAnson7207 #RCAF #LakeOntarioCrash #31BombingGunnerySchool #WaupoosIsland #WWIIAircraftCrash #AviationTrainingAccidents #UnauthorizedFlying
Conclusion
The loss of Anson 7207 near Waupoos Island remains a sobering example of the risks involved in military aviation training. The unauthorized maneuvers leading to the crash highlight the need for strict adherence to safety protocols, especially during high-stakes operations like instrument training. This incident serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the aircrew and the critical lessons learned in pursuit of safer aviation practices.
The crash site, though not a marked or explored wreck, is a part of the rich wartime history of Lake Ontario and the essential role played by training schools like RCAF Picton in preparing crews for the challenges of World War II.