No fatalities

1961-10-30: Vickers Viscount (G-AODH) — British United Airways - BUA — Frankfurt-Main, Germany

Frankfurt-Main, GermanyLanding (descent or approach)

On October 30, 1961, a Vickers Viscount (registration G-AODH) operated by British United Airways - BUA was involved in an aviation accident near Frankfurt-Main, Germany during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command, during the ILS approach, flew below the critical height and, in a surface visibility which was inadequate, struck the ground alongside the runway. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781245350Data APIEditorial standards

A charter flight from Berlin to Frankfurt struck the ground alongside runway 25 during a missed ILS approach in poor visibility. The aircraft was badly damaged; two of sixteen occupants were injured.

Accident Details

A scheduled charter flight from Berlin to Frankfurt-Main was on approach to its destination. The flight proceeded normally until the final approach. During a missed ILS approach in poor visibility, the aircraft struck the ground alongside runway 25 and was badly damaged while rolling to a stop. The accident occurred at 1848 local time. On board were a pilot-in-command, a copilot, two stewardesses, eleven passengers, and one child, totaling sixteen occupants. Two of the sixteen occupants were injured.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the pilot-in-command, during the ILS approach, flew below the critical height and, in a surface visibility which was inadequate, struck the ground alongside the runway. It is probable that a contributing factor was that at the critical moment the assistance given by the copilot to the pilot-in-command was erroneous and misleading.