Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Laschendorf

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1948
Registration:
PH-NCP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Groningen – Copenhagen
MSN:
7037
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Pilot W. E. Molema and two passengers, J. Ubink, chief editor of the newspaper "het Nieuwsblad van het Noorden" and paint dealer O. Wedema of Groningen, took off from the NNAC airfield in Eelde bound for Copenhagen. Allegedly the pilot lost direction and was forced/chose to land in a field in the Russian occupied zone of Germany in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. While landing the left wheel hit a ditch and broke off. Some other minor damages and apparent bullet holes in the fuselage where later found. The aircraft was later sent back to the Netherlands by rail and had the engine removed. It was taken off the registry on April 7, 1952.
Source: ASN

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW245
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Northolt
MSN:
MW245
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft suffered severe vibrations with the ailerons and the captain decided to abort the takeoff procedure. He realized that it would not be possible to stop the aircraft within the runway end, so he raised the undercarriage and the aircraft sank on its belly. It then slid for several yards, overran and came to rest against an earth mound. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown but it was reported that a maintenance was made on the aircraft shortly before the accident. It is understood that some mechanics failed to follow some maintenance procedures and that certain parts were not original, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of an Avro 685 York C.1 in Wünsdorf AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
MW288
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Wünsdorf – Lyneham
MSN:
SET26
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Shortly after liftoff, while in initial climb, the engine number one failed. The pilot tried to maintain a control of the aircraft in order to avoid buildings ahead but once the altitude of 300 feet was reached, the aircraft banked left, stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine number one caused by the failure of the eight spark plug's cap that were not from origin.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Ravolzhausen: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1948 at 0731 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-16036
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Berlin - Wiesbaden
MSN:
20502
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Berlin-Tempelhof to the airbase of Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, taking part to the Berlin Airlift. While cruising in a reduced visibility due to foggy conditions, the aircraft collided with a USAF Douglas C-47A-80-DL registered 43-15116 and carrying also a crew of two and conducting the same operation from Berlin to Wiesbaden. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground. The first crashed about 100 yards south of the city of Ravolzhausen while the second crashed about one km northwest of the same city. All four crew members on both aircraft were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-80-DL in Ravolzhausen: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1948 at 0731 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-15116
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Berlin - Wiesbaden
MSN:
19582
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Berlin-Tempelhof to the airbase of Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, taking part to the Berlin Airlift. While cruising in a reduced visibility due to foggy conditions, the aircraft collided with a USAF Douglas C-47A-90-DL registered 43-16036 and carrying also a crew of two and conducting the same operation from Berlin to Wiesbaden. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground. The first crashed about 100 yards south of the city of Ravolzhausen while the second crashed about one km northwest of the same city. All four crew members on both aircraft were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-54G-1-DO Skymaster in Berlin

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1948
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
45-0514
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
35967
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 27R at Tempelhof Airport, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, hit a wooded fence and came to rest in flames. All four crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire. The crew was taking part to the Berlin Airlift.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK Dakota C.4 in Berlin

Date & Time: Aug 1, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
KN238
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Berlin – London
MSN:
15662/27107
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Berlin-Gatow Airport, the crew reported technical problems and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. On touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest. All three crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-15-DK in Berlin: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1948 at 0100 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-49534
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wiesbaden – Berlin
MSN:
15350/26795
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
On final approach to Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, taking part to the Berlin Airlift, the twin engine aircraft hit the roof of a building and crashed in flames in the adjacent street located in the suburb of Friedenau. Both crewmen were killed while three people on the ground were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-20-DK Dakota C.4 in Fassberg AFB

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1948
Operator:
Registration:
KN252
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Berlin – Fassberg
MSN:
15733/27178
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Fassberg AFB, an engine caught fire. On landing, an undercarriage collapsed and the aircraft veered off runway and came to rest in flames. While all three crew members were unhurt, the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Failure of a hydraulic line, causing the fluid to spill into the engine and to ignite in contact with element who temperature was high.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-30-DK in Königstein im Taunus: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1948 at 2330 LT
Operator:
Registration:
43-48256
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Wiesbaden – Berlin
MSN:
14072/25517
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Wiesbaden-Erbenheim AFB, while climbing by night, the aircraft hit the slope of Mt Steinkopf located near Königstein im Taunus, about 16 km northeast of Wiesbaden Airport. All three crew members were killed. They were involved in the Berlin Airlift.