4 fatalities

Night Combat Mission Accident Near Le Tech (25-12)

Le Tech, FranceFlight

On January 25, 1939, a Heinkel He.111 (registration 25-12) operated by Spanish Air Force - Aviación Nacional (1936-1939) was involved in an aviation accident near Le Tech, France in flight. 4 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 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A military aircraft crashed into a mountainside near Le Tech, France, during a night combat mission after being pursued by enemy fighters, resulting in the deaths of all four crew members.

What happened

The incident occurred while the crew was conducting a night combat mission. During the operation, the aircraft came under pursuit from Republican fighter planes. In an attempt to evade the hostile engagement, the pilot directed the aircraft toward France. However, the plane subsequently impacted the slope of a mountain in the vicinity of Le Tech. The collision resulted in fatal injuries for everyone on board, with all four crew members losing their lives.

Findings

The source material does not provide specific technical findings or contributing factors beyond the immediate sequence of events involving the pursuit and the subsequent terrain impact.