Amsterdam – London
Flight / Schedule
Amsterdam – London
Aircraft
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)Registration
PH-TEU
MSN
13396
Year of Manufacture
1944
Date
February 2, 1950 at 05:39 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Crash Location
North Sea All World
Region
World • World
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On February 2, 1950 at 05:39 AM, Amsterdam – London experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, with the event recorded near North Sea All World.
The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was flight at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.
7 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.
Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft left Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport at 0525LT on a cargo flight to London. Fourteen minutes later, it went out of control and dove into the North Sea, about 66 km west of the Dutch coast. All seven crew members were killed. According to the testimony of a Danish boat's captain, an engine was on fire when the aircraft came down.
Aircraft reference details include registration PH-TEU, MSN 13396, year of manufacture 1944.
Fatalities
Total
7
Crew
7
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
The aircraft left Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport at 0525LT on a cargo flight to London. Fourteen minutes later, it went out of control and dove into the North Sea, about 66 km west of the Dutch coast. All seven crew members were killed. According to the testimony of a Danish boat's captain, an engine was on fire when the aircraft came down.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
7
Passengers On Board
0
Estimated Survivors
0
Fatality Rate
100.0%
Known people on board: 7
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Amsterdam – London
Flight Type
Cargo
Flight Phase
Flight
Crash Site
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Region / Country
World • World
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
Compagnie Générale Transaérienne - CGT
Nieuport-Delage NiD-30
The pilot, sole on board, departed Paris-Le Bourget on a mail flight to Hounslow Heath, London. While cruising over The Channel, he encountered thick fog when the airplane crashed in the sea in unknown circumstances. The pilot was killed.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
Fokker F3
While approaching Rotterdam Airport, the pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing for unknown reasons. Upon landing in a field, the aircraft impacted a drainage ditch and came to rest upside down. All three occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was rebuilt with another MSN 1533 and same registration H-NABL.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
De Havilland DH.9
En route, the engine caught fire and the pilot elected to make an emergency landing in Waalhaven, south of Rotterdam. The aircraft crashed and was damaged beyond repair and the pilot escaped unhurt. This was the first official accident involving an aircraft of the Dutch National carrier KLM since its creation in 1919. Crew: H. Wende, pilot.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
Fokker F3
The aircraft departed Rotterdam-Waalhaven Airport at 1214LT and the pilot landed at Calais where it stopped for about 45 minutes for weather improvement. While cruising over The Channel and approaching the English coast, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to fog and low clouds. He continued along the shore and arrived in Hythe, Kent, when the aircraft hit a tree and crashed in a field. All four occupants were rescued and one passenger was slightly injured. At the time of the accident, visibility did not exceed 75 yards. Crew: W. Warnaar, pilot.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
De Havilland DH.9
Following a night takeoff, the aircraft crash landed in a field near Rotterdam-Waalhaven Airport. There were no casualties.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij
Fokker F3
On final approach to Croydon Airport, the engine lost power. The pilot increased power but the airplane continued to lose height then stalled and crashed in a field. On ground, it rolled for few dozen metres before hitting a bank and some concrete posts. While all four occupants were slightly injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The engine and some other parts were later used for another Fokker F3.