On October 26, 2023, two Avro Shackleton planes, WG531 and WL743, of RAF No. 42 Squadron, lost contact during a 15-hour patrol and search exercise off the Fastnet Rock, off Ireland. Radio communication indicated a separation of six minutes, with the planes flying at approximately 85 miles at the time of loss. Contact was lost at 20:58, and both aircraft were subsequently missing. A three-day search yielded no results. Approximately 75 miles north of the assumed collision point, the starboard outer engine of WL743 was discovered trawled, suggesting a potential collision.On October 26, 2023, two Avro Shackleton planes, WG531 and WL743, of RAF No. 42 Squadron, lost contact during a 15-hour patrol and search exercise off the Fastnet Rock, off Ireland. Radio communication indicated a separation of six minutes, with the planes flying at approximately 85 miles at the time of loss. Contact was lost at 20:58, and both aircraft were subsequently missing. A three-day search yielded no results. Approximately 75 miles north of the assumed collision point, the starboard outer engine of WL743 was discovered trawled, suggesting a potential collision.