On 8 February 1956 the Royal Air Force lost six Hawker Hunter jet fighters in a multiple aircraft accident.

Upon completion of the exercise, the eight Hunters diverted to RAF Marham, but due to bad weather, six of the aircraft were lost, including one fatality.

By 11:00 the weather at West Raynham had deteriorated with poor visibility[1] and the aircraft were told to divert to nearby RAF Marham for a visual approach.

Questions were asked in Parliament about the loss of six aircraft worth about £750,000 [4] and the suspicion—expressed by the Labour MP George Wigg—that "Marks I and II are liable to be deficient in fuel if a crisis arises".

[2] The BoI stated that the decision to fly in the weather conditions was proper and reasonable, the pilots were all competent, the aircraft were serviceable and had adequate fuel and endurance for the planned mission.