No fatalities

Aircraft undershoot at Røros Airport (BW-E)

Røros, NorwayLanding (descent or approach)

On December 6, 1968, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (registration BW-E) operated by Royal Norwegian Air Force - Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret was involved in an aviation accident near Røros, Norway during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck the ground short of the runway due to being below the required altitude during final approach. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced a gear separation during an approach to Røros Airport after striking the ground short of the runway.

What happened

During the final approach phase toward Røros Airport, the aircraft impacted the terrain approximately 13 meters before reaching the runway threshold. The impact caused the left main landing gear to be ripped from the airframe. Following this structural failure, the aircraft performed a partial belly landing and eventually came to a stop on the runway surface.

Findings

Investigation into the incident indicates that the aircraft was flying at an insufficient altitude during its descent. The primary factor in the accident was that the flight path was too low, leading to the initial contact with the ground prior to reaching the threshold.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck the ground short of the runway due to being below the required altitude during final approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Dec 1968 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident near Røros, Norway?

An aircraft experienced a gear separation during an approach to Røros Airport after striking the ground short of the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Dec 1968 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Dec 1968 involved a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, registration BW-E, operated by Royal Norwegian Air Force - Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret, at Røros, Norway.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft struck the ground short of the runway due to being below the required altitude during final approach.