Laon-Couvron | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The bomber suffered an engine failure and crash landed in Etten-Leur. A crew was killed and three others were injured.
Crew:
Ofw E. Frühbrod, pilot,
Ogfr H. Dinzel, observer,
Uffz E. Wilke, radio operator, †
Uffz K. Irrle, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Potez 540-B5 in Laon

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1939 at 2017 LT

Type of aircraft:

Potez 540

Operator:

Registration:

X-289

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Laon - Laon

MSN:

160

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was completing a local training flight at Laon-Couvron Airfield. On final approach, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low. The airplane impacted an embankment located short of runway, causing the undercarriage to be torn off. The aircraft continued for about 70 metres then belly landed and came to rest. All five crewmen were rescued, among them two were injured.
Crew:
Adj/C Adrien Cathala, pilot,
Adj/C Matignon, gunner,
Sgt/C Epenoy, gunner,
Lt Genay, observer,
Cne Hoquetis, Chief.

Probable cause:

The accident was attributed to a pilot error. Nevertheless, it was considered that the runway was not equipped with lights and the pilot may have been hampered by the luminosity caused by the low position of the moon.