Dan-Air Flight 240, operated by Dan-Air Services, was a charter flight that took off from Manchester International Airport en route to East Midlands Airport. The aircraft, a British Aircraft Corporation 1-11, experienced significant complications shortly after departure. Despite efforts by the crew to manage the situation, the flight encountered severe weather conditions, which contributed to a critical malfunction. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft struggle for altitude before ultimately crashing into a field in Nailstone, Leicestershire, a rural area located approximately 20 miles from the airport. All three crew members, including captain Kenneth Freemantle, perished in the incident.

In the aftermath of the crash, an investigation was launched by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to determine the underlying causes of the disaster. The investigation revealed that a combination of mechanical failures, compounded by poor weather conditions, had led to the catastrophic loss of control. This event sparked discussions regarding regulatory measures in aviation safety standards, particularly pertaining to the maintenance practices of charter flight operations. The sombre incident marked a somber moment in British aviation history, raising awareness of the critical need for stringent protocols in flight operation and crew training to prevent such occurrences in the future.