13 fatalities

Crew and Passengers Killed in Takeoff Accident After Obstacle Collision (OK-WDS)

Prague-Ruzyne, Czech RepublicTakeoff (climb)

On January 12, 1954, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration OK-WDS) operated by CSA Czech Airlines - Československé Státní Aerolinie was involved in an aviation accident near Prague-Ruzyne, Czech Republic during takeoff. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor flying techniques on part of the pilot-in-command during initial climb. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

After a 900-meter takeoff roll on runway 22, the aircraft climbed to about 50 feet in 100-meter visibility. The pilot made a sharp left turn to avoid a chimney, striking a telephone pole and cables, then stalled and crashed, killing all four crew and nine passengers.

Accident Details

The aircraft initiated rotation after a takeoff roll of 900 meters on runway 22. While climbing to a height of approximately 50 feet in horizontal visibility of about 100 meters, the crew sighted a chimney. The pilot executed a sharp left turn to avoid a collision, during which the airplane struck a telephone pole and telegraphic cables. The aircraft subsequently stalled and crashed in flames in a snow-covered field located about one kilometer south of the airfield.

Injuries and Damage

All four crew members and nine passengers were killed. Five other passengers were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crew

The crew consisted of Jan House (pilot), Jiří Levý (copilot), Milroslav Kalenda (radio operator), and Milroslav Häusler (flight engineer).

Probable Cause

No mechanical failure was reported on the airplane prior to the accident. At the time, the cloud base was about 200 meters above ground with horizontal visibility of 100 meters in snowfall. The runway was covered with a layer of 5 to 10 cm of wet snow. The accident was the consequence of poor flying techniques on part of the pilot-in-command during initial climb.