Region
Europe

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3mge in Ostend: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1937 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Junkers JU.52
Operator:
Registration:
OO-AUB
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Munich – Frankfurt – Brussels – London
MSN:
5827
YOM:
1937
Location:
Ostend
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
While descending to Brussels, the crew encountered foggy conditions and decided to divert to Ostend where two other passengers were supposed to embark. Upon arrival, the crew completed two circuits over the airport of Ostend before initiating the final approach. Weather conditions were poor with limited visibility due to fog. On final, at a height of some 20 metres, the aircraft hit with its right wing the chimney of the 'Briqueterie Nationale' located in Stene. The aircraft stalled and crashed upside down, bursting into flames. All 11 occupants were killed, among them Grand Ducal and Duchess of Hesse and two of their children.
Crew:
Antoine Lambotte, pilot,
Maurice Courtois, radio navigator,
Ivan Lansmans, engineer.
Passengers:
Georges-Donatus von Hesse-Darmstadt, Grand-Ducal of Hesse,
Cécile de Grèce, Grand Duchess of Hesse,
Éléonore von Solms-Hohensolms-Lich,
Louis von Hesse-Darmstadt,
Alexander von Hesse-Darmstadt,
Joachim Riedesel zu Eisenbach,
Arthur Martens,
Lina Hahn.
Probable cause:
An airport employee was blamed for not adequately assisting the pilot down in the conditions of poor visibility, even though rockets had been fired from the ground in an attempt to do so.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-115L in Brussels: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1937 at 1040 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-2
Operator:
Registration:
PH-ALF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Amsterdam – Brussels – Paris
MSN:
1585
YOM:
1936
Location:
Brussels
Flemish Brabant
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
Less than five minutes after takeoff from Brussels-Haren Airport, while climbing to a height of 1,200 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wheat field located 300 metres from Brages' station, bursting into flames. The airplane named 'Flamingo' was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 15 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cornelius Theo Regnerus Steensma, pilot,
Bernardus Ludekuize, radio navigator,
Gerardus Geering, engineer,
Martha Johanna van der Laan, stewardess.
Passengers:
A. Bloem,
W. Canton,
M. Goldbloom,
B. F. Mun,
N. Nathans,
C. Tondreau,
R. Tondreau-Tollenaere,
R. Trillo,
F. Wetzlar,
H. Wapperom,
G. Whitehouse.
Probable cause:
A fire erupted in the cabin shortly after take off for unknown reasons. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Breguet 19 in Ostend

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Breguet 19
Operator:
Registration:
B-42
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Ostend
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Ostend-Stene Airport, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reason. The airplane crash landed in a field, collided with a ditch and came to rest. Both occupants evacuated safely.

Crash of a Breguet 19 in Courtrai

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Breguet 19
Operator:
Registration:
B-124
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Courtrai - Courtrai
Location:
Courtrai-Wevelgem
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Courtrai-Wevelgem on a local solo training flight. The engine failed in flight, forcing the pilot to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crashed and the pilot was injured.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Boulton & Paul P.71A in Brussels

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1935 at 0256 LT
Type of aircraft:
Boulton & Paul P.71
Operator:
Registration:
G-ACOY
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Croydon – Brussels
MSN:
P.71A/2
YOM:
1934
Location:
Brussels
Flemish Brabant
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Brussels-Haren Airport at night, the twin engine aircraft impacted the ground and crashed 10 metres short of runway. All 15 occupants were rescued, among them seven were injured, two seriously. The aircraft named 'Britomart' was damaged beyond repair.

Ground accident of a Short L.17 Scylla in Brussels

Date & Time: Oct 10, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Short L.17 Scylla
Operator:
Registration:
G-ACJK
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brussels – Croydon
MSN:
02
YOM:
1934
Location:
Brussels
Flemish Brabant
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing for takeoff at Brussels Airport, the four engine aircraft was blown up by gusty winds and came to rest upside down. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Breguet 19A in Liège: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 7, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Breguet 19
Operator:
Registration:
B-85
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Liège - Liège
MSN:
A2-B2
Location:
Liège
Liège
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a training flight in the region of Liège. After departure from Liège-Bierset Airport, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances near the Bierset-Awans Station. Both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Adj René Nicolas Jean Wolff,
Henry Joanne Paul Delabastita.

Crash of a Breguet 19 in Liège: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Breguet 19
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Liège - Liège
Location:
Liège
Liège
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Liège-Bierset Airport on a local training flight. While flying in the vicinity of the airfield, the airplane went out of control and crashed, killing both crew members.
Crew:
Joseph Partoens,
Louis Slachmeulen.

Crash of a Sabca F7b/3m in Leopoldsburg: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 18, 1934
Type of aircraft:
Sabca F7
Operator:
Registration:
F-3
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Leopoldsburg
Limburg
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a night training mission over the area of Beverlo, Limburg. En route, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. While making a turn at low altitude, probably to establish a visual contact with the ground, the left wing hit the ground and the aircraft cartwheeled before coming to rest on its nose in a field. All eight occupants were injured, the pilot seriously. Unfortunately, the pilot, Adj Joseph Massaer, died from his injuries a day later at 2300LT.
Crew:
Joseph Massaer, pilot,
Joseph Lang, copilot.
Passengers:
Cpt Gobert,
Mr. Roël,
S/Lt Poppe,
Sgt Alexandre en Moreau,
Cpl Kinet,
Lt Schliegel (Swiss Air Force).

Crash of an Avro 618 Ten in Ruiselede: 10 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1933 at 1315 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avro 618 Ten
Operator:
Registration:
G-ABLU
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Cologne - Brussels - Croydon
MSN:
528
YOM:
1931
Location:
Ruiselede
West Flanders
Country:
Belgium
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an international schedule service from Cologne to Croydon with an intermediate stop in Brussels. The aircraft departed Brussels-Haren Airport at 1220LT with eight passengers and two crew members on board. While overflying the West Flanders, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. Apparently lost, the crew deviated from the prescribed flight path by 15 km when the captain decided to reduce his altitude to establish a visual contact with the ground. At a height of about 250 feet, the airplane collided with a 270 metres high radio antenna. Upon impact, the right wing was torn off and the airplane crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All 10 occupants were killed, among them seven British, two Dutch and one Polish.
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