Accident
On the day of the accident, a C-119 aircraft registered CP-25 departed from Chièvres Airbase alongside another C-119 registered CP-23 for a local combined training exercise. While flying near the airbase, the two aircraft collided and subsequently crashed in a field located in Montignies-lez-Lens, approximately 6 kilometers east of the airbase. Both aircraft were destroyed in the impact and subsequent fire. All 13 crew members on board the two aircraft were killed.
Aircraft
Both aircraft involved were C-119 transports operated by the Belgian Air Force. The aircraft were identified by their registrations: CP-23 and CP-25. The source does not provide additional details about the aircraft such as construction numbers or maintenance history.
Crew
The crew of aircraft CP-23 consisted of five members: Captain Jules Gerard, Captain Albert Vermeerbergen, Commandant André Bolle, Adjutant Gilbert Deneef, and Sergeant-Major David Vandemeersche. The crew of aircraft CP-25 consisted of eight members: Sergeant José Decaigny, Adjutant Alfred Donckier, Captain Yvan Passchiersens, Sergeant Camille Bauvois, Adjutant Gilbert François, Adjutant Romeo Decot, Sergeant Raoul Depoorter, and Sergeant-Major Florimont Delroeux.