Zurich – Paris

On January 7, 1939 at 04:30 PM, Zurich – Paris experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-2, operated by Swissair, with the event recorded near Senlis Oise.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a plain, valley crash site.

17 people were known to be on board, 5 fatalities were recorded, 12 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 29.4%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 12, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While descending to Paris-Le Bourget Airport in marginal weather conditions, the crew did not realize he was flying too low. The twin engine aircraft hit the ground and lost partially its both wings before coming to rest in an open field located in Senlis, some 25 km north of Le Bourget Airport. The cabin remained relatively intact while the cockpit was destroyed. Five occupants were killed, among them three crew members. Crew killed: Egon Frei, pilot, Kurt Walter, radio navigator, Josie Brooke, stewardess.

Aircraft reference details include registration HB-ITA, MSN 1329, year of manufacture 1935.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 49.3013°, 2.6046°.