No fatalities

Engine failure forces ditching of Etsch into Gooi Lake (D-489)

Valkeveen, NetherlandsFlight

On August 4, 1928, a Fokker-Grulich F3 (registration D-489) operated by Deutsche Lufthansa was involved in an aviation accident near Valkeveen, Netherlands in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine aircraft named 'Etsch' lost engine power shortly after takeoff from Amsterdam-Schiphol in poor weather, forcing the pilot to ditch the plane into the Gooi Lake near Valkeveen.

What happened

The incident occurred shortly after departure from Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport. The aircraft, identified by the name 'Etsch', was proceeding eastbound when it encountered adverse weather conditions. During this initial phase of flight, the engine suffered a total loss of power. Facing an immediate emergency with no viable runway available for a safe landing, the pilot elected to execute a controlled ditching in the Gooi Lake located off Valkeveen.

Upon impact with the water, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair. The pilot was subsequently rescued from the wreckage and survived the incident. No other fatalities or injuries were reported in connection with this event.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from a complete loss of engine power shortly after takeoff.