5 fatalities

Twin-Engine Aircraft Crashes in Great Belt After Encountering Severe Turbulence (OY-BUS)

Kalundborg, DenmarkFlight

On July 29, 1986, a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II (registration OY-BUS) operated by Dansk Totalenterprise was involved in an aviation accident near Kalundborg, Denmark in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: In-flight loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulences. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft, en route from Roskilde to London with five occupants, lost control and crashed into the Great Belt after severe turbulence dislodged a wing tip tank. All aboard were killed.

Overview

An aircraft accident occurred in the Great Belt off Kalundborg, involving a twin-engine aircraft on a flight from Roskilde Airport to London. The aircraft was destroyed, and all five occupants were killed.

Flight Details

Before takeoff from Roskilde Airport, the pilot received a weather briefing that included information about thunderstorm activity over Denmark. The flight carried four passengers: two Directors of the Company and their wives. The purpose of the trip was to attend an opera in London.

Accident Sequence

Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the aircraft entered clouds and encountered severe turbulence. During this encounter, one of the wing tip tanks detached from the aircraft. Subsequently, the aircraft went out of control, entered a dive, and crashed into the Great Belt off Kalundborg.

Aftermath

The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. All five occupants—the pilot, two Directors, and their wives—were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be in-flight loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulence.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 29 Jul 1986 Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II accident near Kalundborg, Denmark?

A twin-engine aircraft, en route from Roskilde to London with five occupants, lost control and crashed into the Great Belt after severe turbulence dislodged a wing tip tank. All aboard were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 29 Jul 1986 Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 29 Jul 1986 involved a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II, registration OY-BUS, operated by Dansk Totalenterprise, at Kalundborg, Denmark.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

In-flight loss of control due to thunderstorm activity and turbulences.