Soesterberg AFB | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While performing a training flight in the area of Soesterberg AFB, the aircraft suffered a double engine failure. The crew attempted to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a field and was destroyed. All three crew members were slightly injured.

Probable cause:

Dual engine failure apparently caused by a fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 at Soesterberg AFB

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1942 at 0205 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+HN

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

1156

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in an operation to Norwich. It crashed for unknown reasons upon landing at Soesterberg Airbase and collided with a second Luftwaffe DO.217 (msn 5327). Both aircraft were destroyed. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Eemnes: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1942 at 1630 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+AP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5368

YOM:

1941

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on a local test flight. For unknown reasons, it went out of control and crashed in Eemnes. Three crew members were killed and a fourth was injured.
Crew:
Uffz H. Feller, pilot, †
Fw H. Kiesler, observer, †
Gfr K. Reissenweber, radio operator,
Gfr K. Witschel, mechanic. †

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 at Soesterberg AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1942 at 2230 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+FP

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

5364

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Soesterberg AFB on a night reconnaissance mission. Upon takeoff, one of the engine failed and the airplane crashed. All four crew members were injured and the observer later died from injuries sustained.
Crew:
Oblt H. Schröter, pilot,
Ogfr R. Schmitt, observer, †
Ofw E. Schollmaier, radio operator,
Ofw G. Eilbrecht, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure upon takeoff.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 into the IJsselmeer: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+GC

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Soesterberg - Soesterberg

MSN:

1161

YOM:

1941

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Crashed in unknown circumstances into the IJsselmeer, killing the entire crew.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-1 in Soest: 10 killed

Date & Time: Mar 6, 1942 at 2118 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+CN

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Soester

MSN:

5030

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Circumstances:

The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on a local training exercise. While cruising at night, it went out of control and crashed into several houses located in Soest, about 6 km north of the airbase. The airplane and three houses were destroyed. All four crew members as well as six people on the ground were killed.
Crew:
Uffz H. Terjung, pilot,
Ogfr F. Meixner, observer,
Gfr H. Borrmann, radio operator,
Ogfr A. Feldmann, air gunner.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-4 in Veenendaal: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1942 at 1950 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

F8+GP

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Soesterberg – Soesterberg

MSN:

1142

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Soesterberg AFB on a training exercise. Engine trouble forced the pilot to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in Veenendaal. A crew member was killed.
Crew:
Oblt E. Benscheidt, pilot,
Lt H. Edinger, observer,
Uffz H. Prond, radio operator,
Ofw F. Weinig, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Engine trouble.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 in Nieuw-Vennep: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+BP

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

City

Schedule:

Soesterberg – Soesterberg

MSN:

5355

YOM:

1941

Location:

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The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on an operation to England. It suffered an engine failure and crashed at Nieuw-Vennep. All four crew members were killed.
Crew:
Ofw J. Jüttner, pilot,
Ofw J. Schuster, observer,
Ofw K. Langer, radio operator,
Ofw F. Lehnert, air gunner.

Probable cause:

Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 into The Channel: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+IM

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Bombing

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Soesterberg – Soesterberg

MSN:

5308

YOM:

1941

Location:

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The airplane departed Soesterberg AFB on an operation over the Thames Estuary. It failed to return to base and is believed to have crashed somewhere in The Channel. Lost without trace.
Crew:
Oblt Hellmuth Lau, pilot,
Uffz Erich Barthel, observer,
Uffz August Schwiering, radio operator,
Ogfr Ewald Menke, mechanic.

Crash of a Dornier DO.217E-2 at Soesterberg AFB: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1942 at 1055 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier DO.217

Operator:

Registration:

U5+MM

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Soesterberg – Soesterberg

MSN:

1155

YOM:

1941

Location:

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Circumstances:

The crew was completing a local test flight at Soesterberg AFB when the airplane crashed for unknown reasons. All three occupants were killed.
Crew:
Lt K.-H. Franck, pilot,
Uffz H. Seeger, observer,
Gefr A. Freijtag, air gunner.