Berlin | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft was engaged in a local joyride out from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, carrying three passengers and one pilot. At 1555LT, during the takeoff roll, after a course of 450 metres, the pilot realized he could not liftoff so he returned to the hangar, thinking that the engine was not producing sufficient power due to sparking plugs issue. Following verification, he decided to attempt a second takeoff at 1613LT. After a course of 350 metres, the aircraft lifted off then climbed to a height of about 10 metres when it stalled, rolled to the right and crashed. All four occupants were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Despite his experience on this type of aircraft (116 flights), the pilot Walter Kuhlmay failed to realize that the airplane was too heavy at takeoff.

Crash of an Udet U12a Flamingo in Berlin

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1930 at 0900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Udet U12 Flamingo

Operator:

Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt (DVL)

Registration:

D-1437

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Berlin - Berlin

MSN:

391

YOM:

1928

Location:

Berlin

Country:

Germany

Region:

Europe

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Berlin-Tempelhof Airport on a local test flight. En route, the crew encountered an unexpected situation and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft collided with telephone wires and crashed in the district of Rudow. Both crew members were injured, one seriously, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Fokker-Grulich F2 in Berlin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1929 at 1600 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fokker-Grulich F2

Operator:

Registration:

D-780

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1572

YOM:

1925

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Berlin-Tempelhof, while climbing, the engine failed. The pilot Hans Loeb lost control of the aircraft that crashed near the runway. The pilot was killed and the aircraft named 'Havel' was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The engine failure was caused by a crankshaft crack.

Crash of a Fokker F3 in Berlin

Date & Time: May 16, 1928 at 1300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fokker F3

Operator:

Registration:

D-200

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Berlin - Cologne

MSN:

1658

YOM:

1922

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Berlin-Tempelhof Airport, while climbing to a height of 200 metres, the engine failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a garden near the airport. The pilot was injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Engine failure during initial climb.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.60 Moth in Berlin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 6, 1927

Type of aircraft:

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Operator:

Deutsche Sportflieger Klub

Registration:

G-W101

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Berlin - Berlin

MSN:

374

YOM:

1927

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Alfred Heft, test pilot by Junkers, was performing a local test flight on this De Havilland DH.60 Moth, the first British aircraft to be sold in Germany after the WWI. Shortly after takeoff from Berlin-Tempelhof, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

Reason for crash is unknown but this accident led to initial refusal by German authorities to certify the DH.60 Moth.

Crash of a Sablatnig P.III in Berlin

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Sablatnig P.III

Operator:

Registration:

D-727

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

269

YOM:

1922

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed on takeoff from Berlin-Tempelhof airport. Occupant fate unknown.

Crash of a Fokker-Grulich F3 in Berlin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Fokker-Grulich F3

Operator:

Registration:

D-516

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Königsberg – Danzig – Berlin

MSN:

1557

YOM:

1924

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Königsberg with an intermediate stop in Ganzig, the airplane was approaching Berlin-Staaken Airport when it crashed in unknown circumstances. A passenger was injured and all three other occupants were killed. The aircraft named 'Flensburg' was destroyed.

Crash of a Junkers F.13 in Berlin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 8, 1926

Type of aircraft:

Junkers F.13

Operator:

Registration:

D-290

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Berlin - Berlin

MSN:

665

YOM:

1923

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot was performing a local training flight at Berlin-Staaken Airport. On final approach, while completing a last turn to the left, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that stalled and crashed. The pilot Paul Billik was killed.

Crash of a Focke-Wulf A.16 in Berlin: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1925 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Focke-Wulf A.16

Operator:

Registration:

D-776

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Berlin - Berlin

MSN:

YOM:

1925

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The pilot Alois Jost departed Berlin-Staaken for a local solo training flight. While flying in the vicinity of the airfield, the engine lost power and failed. The airplane lost height, impacted power cables and crashed. The pilot was seriously injured but died while being transferred to the hospital.