Douglas DC-2 accident at Brussels, Belgium, 28 Jul 1937 (PH-ALF)
On July 28, 1937, a Douglas DC-2 (registration PH-ALF) operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij was involved in an aviation accident near Brussels, Belgium during takeoff. 15 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A fire erupted in the cabin shortly after take off for unknown reasons. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. 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.
Probable cause
A fire erupted in the cabin shortly after take off for unknown reasons. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
Less than five minutes after takeoff from Brussels-Haren Airport, while climbing to a height of 1,200 feet, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a wheat field located 300 metres from Brages' station, bursting into flames. The airplane named 'Flamingo' was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 15 occupants were killed. Crew: Cornelius Theo Regnerus Steensma, pilot, Bernardus Ludekuize, radio navigator, Gerardus Geering, engineer, Martha Johanna van der Laan, stewardess. Passengers: A. Bloem, W. Canton, M. Goldbloom, B. F. Mun, N. Nathans, C. Tondreau, R. Tondreau-Tollenaere, R. Trillo, F. Wetzlar, H. Wapperom, G. Whitehouse.
Probable cause (official findings): A fire erupted in the cabin shortly after take off for unknown reasons. Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident.