7 fatalities

Aircraft Crashes After Engine Failure Following Aborted Takeoffs (F-RAEG)

Berlin-Tegel, GermanyTakeoff (climb)

On February 17, 1953, a Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor (registration F-RAEG) operated by GLAM - Groupe de Liaisons Aériennes Ministérielles was involved in an aviation accident near Berlin-Tegel, Germany during takeoff. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The VHF radio analysis failed to determine the cause of the steep turn to the right during the initial climb, steep turn that was confirmed by eye witnesses and by the exam of the debris at the point of impact. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed in flames after stalling during an emergency landing attempt following an engine failure. The accident occurred after two takeoff attempts were aborted for unknown reasons. All seven occupants were killed.

Event

Two takeoff attempts were aborted for unknown reasons. During the third takeoff roll and initial climb, the pilot informed ground personnel about an engine failure and elected to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn to the right to reach the approach path, the aircraft banked right, stalled, and crashed in flames in a wooded area located two kilometers short of the runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact, and all seven occupants were killed.

Investigation

Investigators analyzed the VHF radio recordings but were unable to determine the cause of the steep right turn that occurred during the initial climb. The steep turn was confirmed by eyewitnesses and by examination of the debris at the point of impact.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause states that the VHF radio analysis failed to determine the cause of the steep turn to the right during the initial climb, a turn confirmed by eyewitnesses and debris examination. It is believed that the aircraft banked right down to an angle of 90° before impacting terrain, most probably following an engine failure.