Background
A Douglas DC-3 aircraft, previously operated by the Spanish Air Force, was decommissioned and stored at Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport. In July 1979, it was auctioned and purchased by Kurfiss Aviation of Germany for inclusion in an aviation museum. Mechanics contracted by the new owner carried out repairs, and a provisional, restricted Certificate of Airworthiness was issued to allow the airplane to be ferried to Frankfurt, Germany, with a stop at Perpignan Airport (PGF) in France.
Ferry Flight
On the day of the ferry flight, a VHF radio was installed, but two-way communication could not be established. The departure was delayed, and the aircraft eventually took off at 15:29 hours without authorization, using a runway not rated for the weight of the DC-3. No communication was possible with the flight due to the radio issues.
Disappearance
The aircraft presumably reached the vicinity of Barcelona in very low visibility conditions, attributed to hazy weather and diminishing daylight hours. It did not arrive at Perpignan as scheduled. A search operation was initiated, but no trace of the airplane was found.
Investigation and Findings
Due to the lack of evidence, as the wreckage was not located, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The aircraft is presumed to have crashed into the Mediterranean Sea.