3 fatalities

Night Cargo Crash During Berlin Airlift (42-72629)

Frankfurt-Main, GermanyLanding (descent or approach)

On January 12, 1949, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster (registration 42-72629) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Frankfurt-Main, Germany during landing or approach. 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 four-engine aircraft crashed short of the runway during a night approach in the Berlin Airlift, resulting in the deaths of all three crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred during a nighttime final approach. The aircraft was operating as part of the historic Berlin Airlift, transporting cargo from Berlin. While on approach to the destination airport, the four-engine plane failed to reach the runway threshold. It impacted the ground approximately 4 km short of the landing area.

The crash resulted in fatal injuries for everyone on board. All three members of the flight crew lost their lives in the accident. The specific registration of the aircraft is not provided in the available records, and no further details regarding the exact make or model beyond it being a four-engine type are specified in this context.