Nordhorn | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While taking off from a grassy runway at Zielona Góra-Przylep Airport, the airplane nosed down, impacted ground and crashed. Both engines were torn off and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces. There was no fire. The pilot, sole on board, was killed. He was completing a ferry flight to Nordhorn, Lower Saxony.

Probable cause:

The pilot mistakenly retracted the undercarriage at liftoff. There was no immediate decision of the pilot to abandon the takeoff procedure when both propellers contacted the runway surface.

Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 402B in Bischofsheim: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 11, 1991 at 0840 LT

Type of aircraft:

Cessna 402

Operator:

Luft-Taxi Emsland

Registration:

D-ICLW

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Nordhorn – Hassfurt

MSN:

402B-0859

YOM:

1975

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Circumstances:

The twin engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Nordhorn to Hassfurt, Bavaria, carrying six passengers and one pilot. After passing the local VOR, the pilot started the descent to Hassfurt-Schweinfurt Airport. In poor visibility due to foggy conditions, the aircraft struck a hill located in Bischofsheim, about 53 km northwest of Hassfurt Airport. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the pilot initiated the approach prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum safe altitude. At the time of the accident, the visibility was poor due to fog.

Crash of an Avro 683 Lancaster I in Nordhorn: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 15, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Avro 683 Lancaster

Operator:

Registration:

EE144

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Coningsby - Coningsby

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Circumstances:

The aircraft left RAF Coningsby in the evening of September 14 on a bombing mission to Dortmund, Germany. While overflying Nordhorn by night and at very low height, the crew realized the presence of a church and decided to increase his altitude. Shortly later, the bomber was hit by the German Flak and the right fuel tank was struck. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames, killing all eight crewmen.
Crew (617th Squadron):
S/L G. W. Holden, pilot,
Sgt D. J. D. Powell,
F/Lt T. H. Taerum,
F/Lt R. E. G. Hutchinson,
P/O G. A. Deering,
F/O Frederick Michael Spafford,
F/O H. J. Pringle,
P/O T. A. Meikle.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden I in Nordhorn: 5 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

Operator:

Registration:

AD721

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Lindholme - Lindholme

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed RAF Lindholme at 2233LT on March 12 on an operation to Berlin. After passing the German border, it was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in Nordhorn. All five crew members were killed.
Crew:
F/Lt Donald Thurston Johnston, pilot,
P/O Lionel Edward Stannard, pilot,
P/O Gordon Samuel Walker, observer,
Sgt Harry Howell, wireless operator,
Sgt William Gordon Williams, wireless operator.

Probable cause:

Shot down by enemy fire.