Brussels – Zurich
Flight / Schedule
Brussels – Zurich
Aircraft
Convair CV-240Registration
OO-AWO
MSN
128
Year of Manufacture
1949
Date
December 19, 1953 at 06:53 PM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Zurich Zurich
Region
Europe • Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3842°, 8.4949°
Crash Cause
Human factor
Narrative Report
On December 19, 1953 at 06:53 PM, Brussels – Zurich experienced a crash involving Convair CV-240, operated by SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne, with the event recorded near Zurich Zurich.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
44 people were known to be on board, 1 fatalities were recorded, 43 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 2.3%.
Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 39, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is human factor. On final approach to Zurich-Kloten Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. Twice, the approach controller informed the crew about his insufficient altitude but the pilot's responses were indistincts. At this time, the aircraft was about 1,500 feet below the minimum descent altitude. On final, the airplane hit the ground, lost its left wing and crashed in a field located 1,500 meters short of runway 14 threshold. 37 occupants were unhurt, six passengers were injured and a young girl aged three (Mrs. Delsaux) was killed. The aircraft was destroyed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to bad weather and night.
Aircraft reference details include registration OO-AWO, MSN 128, year of manufacture 1949.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 47.3842°, 8.4949°.
Fatalities
Total
1
Crew
0
Passengers
1
Other
0
Crash Summary
On final approach to Zurich-Kloten Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. Twice, the approach controller informed the crew about his insufficient altitude but the pilot's responses were indistincts. At this time, the aircraft was about 1,500 feet below the minimum descent altitude. On final, the airplane hit the ground, lost its left wing and crashed in a field located 1,500 meters short of runway 14 threshold. 37 occupants were unhurt, six passengers were injured and a young girl aged three (Mrs. Delsaux) was killed. The aircraft was destroyed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to bad weather and night.
Cause: Human factor
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
5
Passengers On Board
39
Estimated Survivors
43
Fatality Rate
2.3%
Known people on board: 44
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Brussels – Zurich
Flight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Switzerland
Aircraft Details
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