3 fatalities

Night cargo flight crash in Hohengöhren kills all three crew (42-72476)

Hohengöhren, GermanyFlight

On July 12, 1949, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 42-72476) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Hohengöhren, Germany in flight. 3 people were killed. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A night cargo flight from Celle AFB to Berlin-Gatow crashed in a field near Hohengöhren after the pilot lost control due to technical issues with both right engines, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.

What happened

During a night cargo flight operating between Celle Air Base and Berlin-Gatow Airport, the aircraft experienced significant mechanical difficulties. The crew reported technical problems affecting both right-hand engines, specifically identified as number three and four. Following these engine issues, the pilot lost control of the airframe. The aircraft subsequently crashed into an agricultural field located in Hohengöhren.

The accident resulted in fatal consequences for everyone on board. All three crew members associated with the 317th TCW were killed in the impact. At the time of the crash, the aircraft was transporting a cargo load consisting of ten tons of coal.