Munich – Frankfurt – Brussels – London

On November 16, 1937 at 03:30 PM, Munich – Frankfurt – Brussels – London experienced a crash involving Junkers JU.52, operated by SABENA - Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne, with the event recorded near Ostend West Flanders.

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.

11 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 8, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While descending to Brussels, the crew encountered foggy conditions and decided to divert to Ostend where two other passengers should embark. In Ostend, the crew completed two circuits over the airport before starting the final approach. The weather was poor with low visibility due to fog. On approach, at a height of some twenty meters, the aircraft hit with its right wing the chimney of the 'Briqueterie Nationale' located in Stene. The aircraft stalled and crashed in flames upside down. All eleven 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.

Aircraft reference details include registration OO-AUB, MSN 5827, year of manufacture 1937.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 51.2085°, 2.9594°.