14 fatalities

Fatal Mountain Impact During Sofia to Thessaloniki Flight (D-AUXZ)

Gabrene, BulgariaFlight

On October 20, 1941, a Junkers JU.52 (registration D-AUXZ) operated by Deutsche Lufthansa was involved in an aviation accident near Gabrene, Bulgaria in flight. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official investigation determined that the crash was caused by controlled flight into terrain. 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 2026-08-26Data APIEditorial standards

A passenger aircraft named 'Otto von Beaulieu-Marconay' crashed into a mountain slope south of Gabrene while en route from Sofia to Thessaloniki, resulting in the deaths of all 14 occupants on board.

What happened

The incident occurred during an en-route phase of a flight operating between Sofia and Thessaloniki. While navigating through marginal weather conditions, the aircraft impacted the slope of a mountain located south of Gabrene. The terrain involved had an elevation of approximately 1,800 metres. Rescue teams later located the wreckage near the border with Greece. The aircraft, which was named 'Otto von Beaulieu-Marconay', was destroyed in the crash. All 14 occupants aboard the plane perished in the accident.

The flight crew consisted of a pilot, a copilot, and a radio operator, while the cabin crew included one additional member. No survivors were reported from the impact site.

Probable cause

The official investigation determined that the crash was caused by controlled flight into terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Oct 1941 Junkers JU.52 accident near Gabrene, Bulgaria?

A passenger aircraft named 'Otto von Beaulieu-Marconay' crashed into a mountain slope south of Gabrene while en route from Sofia to Thessaloniki, resulting in the deaths of all 14 occupants on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Oct 1941 Junkers JU.52 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 14 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Oct 1941 involved a Junkers JU.52, registration D-AUXZ, operated by Deutsche Lufthansa, at Gabrene, Bulgaria.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The official investigation determined that the crash was caused by controlled flight into terrain.