Thuringia | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While approaching Erfurt from the west, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to fog. The three engine aircraft was flying too low when its impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Tabarz, bursting into flames. The wreckage was found about 38 km southwest of Erfurt. Four passengers were injured and 11 other occupants were killed. The aircraft named 'Heinrich Kroll' was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the pilot lost his bearings while flying in heavy fog, resulting in either a controlled flight into terrain or an uncontrolled descent into the ground.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52 in Oberhof: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1936 at 2330 LT

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.52

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Erfurt - Erfurt

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Circumstances:

The crew departed Erfurt on a night training flight. He was supposed to simulate night attacks of Erfurt from various directions. Coming from the south, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane impacted trees and crashed in a wooded area located near Oberhof. The pilot and the observer were killed while the radio operator and the mechanic were injured.
Crew:
Sgt Viktor Matthieu, pilot, †
Lt Kurt Kirsch, observer, †
Sgt Friedl Delvo, radio operator,
Cpl Frey, mechanic.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Dornier Merkur II in Schleiz: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1927 at 1000 LT

Type of aircraft:

Dornier Do B Merkur

Operator:

Registration:

D-585

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Berlin – Munich

MSN:

YOM:

1925

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Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 500 feet, the pilot realized that a structural failure occurred on the left wing. He informed the passengers of the situation, reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a pasture. On final, the left wing detached, causing the aircraft to crash on the ground. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 7 occupants were killed.
Crew:
Mr. Charlett, pilot,
Mr. Osmers, copilot.
Passengers:
Adolf Georg Otto 'Ago' von Maltzan, Minister of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Weimar,
Mr. Arnim +3.

Probable cause:

According to German Authorities, the accident was caused by the failure of the wing strut on the left wing that broke off in flight.

Crash of a Messerschmitt M-18 in Rudolstadt: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1927 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Messerschmitt M.18

Operator:

Registration:

D-1177

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Fürth – Rudolstadt – Erfurt – Leipzig

MSN:

YOM:

1927

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Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff, at a height of about 30-40 metres, the engine failed. The pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed on the ground. The pilot and one passenger were killed while two other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Engine failure shortly after takeoff.

Crash of a Fokker-Grulich F3 in Floh-Seligenthal: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1927 at 1830 LT

Type of aircraft:

Fokker-Grulich F3

Operator:

Registration:

D-729

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hanover – Würzburg

MSN:

1567

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Circumstances:

En route from Hanover to Würzburg, the pilot encountered unfavorable weather conditions when the engine failed. He attempted an emergency landing in an open field when the aircraft crossed a railway road and came to rest upside down. The passenger Mr. Saalfeld was killed and the pilot Mr. Schaefer was seriously injured. He died later from his injuries. The aircraft named 'Unstrut' was destroyed.

Probable cause:

Engine failure.