No fatalities

1970-02-09: De Havilland DH.106 Comet (SU-ALE) — United Arab Airlines — Munich-Riem, Germany

Munich-Riem, GermanyTakeoff (climb)

On February 9, 1970, a De Havilland DH.106 Comet (registration SU-ALE) operated by United Arab Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Munich-Riem, Germany during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Severe vibrations after liftoff caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the wings. Inappropriate actions on part of the flying crew. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781236628Data APIEditorial standards

After takeoff, severe vibrations at 30 feet prompted an aborted landing. The aircraft overran the runway, lost its undercarriage, and caught fire. All 23 occupants evacuated safely, but the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident Overview

During the initial climb following a normal takeoff roll, the captain initiated rotation by pulling the control column. At an altitude of approximately 30 feet, the aircraft experienced severe vibrations. In response, the captain decided to abort the climb and land back on the runway.

Landing and Overrun

The available runway distance proved insufficient for a safe landing. The aircraft overran the runway, causing the undercarriage to separate. It came to rest in flames in an open field adjacent to the runway. Emergency services quickly extinguished the fire.

Occupant Safety and Damage

All 23 occupants on board evacuated the aircraft without injury. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the severe vibrations after liftoff were caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the wings. Additionally, inappropriate actions on the part of the flying crew were cited as a contributing factor to the accident sequence.

Probable cause

Severe vibrations after liftoff caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on the wings. Inappropriate actions on part of the flying crew.