No fatalities

Night Approach Accident Involving Military Aircraft Near Fassberg (42-72657)

Fassberg AFB, GermanyLanding (descent or approach)

On November 7, 1948, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 42-72657) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Fassberg AFB, Germany during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. 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 military aircraft struck trees during a night approach in foggy conditions, resulting in the destruction of the airframe and injuries to all three crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred while the flight was en route from Schleissheim Air Base, located near Munich, to Fassberg Air Base. The aircraft was on final approach when it encountered poor visibility caused by fog and nighttime conditions. During this phase of flight, the airframe collided with trees and subsequently caught fire. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. All three members of the crew sustained injuries in the crash.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific investigative findings or a formal determination of contributing factors beyond the description of the environmental conditions present at the time of the accident.