Narrative:
On landing at Zürich-Dübendorf Airport the right main landing gear folded up and engine No. 4 caught fire as a result of the propeller tips hitting the runway. The pilot attempted unsuccessfully to take off again but insufficient altitude was gained and the aircraft crashed and burned at 15:00 hrs in woods 550 meters NW of hanger No. 2.
» Report of burial of Capt. Thomas Elwyn Smith (co-pilot) from the Office of the Military Air Attache to Chief, Military Intelligence Service. War Department, Washington D. C.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Saturday 18 August 1945 |
| Time: | 15:00 |
| Type: |  Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express |
| Operator: | United States Army Air Force - USAAF |
| Registration: | 44-39213 |
| MSN: | 15 |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 6 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 0,55 km (0.3 mls) NW of Zürich-Dübendorf Airport ( Switzerland)
|
| Phase: | Takeoff (TOF) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | ? |
| Zürich-Dübendorf Airport, Switzerland |
On landing at Zürich-Dübendorf Airport the right main landing gear folded up and engine No. 4 caught fire as a result of the propeller tips hitting the runway. The pilot attempted unsuccessfully to take off again but insufficient altitude was gained and the aircraft crashed and burned at 15:00 hrs in woods 550 meters NW of hanger No. 2.
Sources:
» Aviation Archaeological Investigation and Research (AAIR)» Report of burial of Capt. Thomas Elwyn Smith (co-pilot) from the Office of the Military Air Attache to Chief, Military Intelligence Service. War Department, Washington D. C.
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This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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