Group Captain Worthington had flown to RAF Millom in the Jurby communications aircraft, Avro Anson T. Mk.20 VM418, in order to collect Group Captain Richmond who was due to succeed him as Station Commander as part of the Station's transition from No. 1 Initial Training School to No. 1 Officer Cadet Training Unit. The aircraft departed RAF Millom at 12:40hrs with the two Group Captains on board, together with another two passengers; Wing Commander Francis Fenton and Squadron Leader Roy Charter. The weather on the day was reported as misty, the conditions shrouding the mountainous spine of the Isle of Man, and when the Anson failed to arrive at Jurby at its allotted time of 13:15hrs a search and rescue operation was put into effect. The wreckage of the Anson was found on the slopes of Clagh Ouyr (1,808 ft) above the Black Hut on the Snaefell mountain road. All four occupants died as a result the impact.