1937 Sabena Junkers Ju 52 Ostend crash
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1923 |
| Headquarters | Brussels , Belgium |
| Products | Air transport services |
On 16 November 1937, a Junkers Ju 52/3m aircraft operated by the Belgian carrier SABENA crashed near Ostend, Belgium, while conducting a scheduled international passenger flight from Munich, Germany, to London, England. At approximately 2:47 p.m. local time, during an attempted landing at Stene aerodrome (now Ostend–Bruges International Airport), the plane collided with a factory chimney. This tragic accident resulted in the deaths of notable members of the Hesse royal family, who were traveling to London for the wedding of Louis, Prince of Hesse and by Rhine.
Accident
The flight from Munich to London was planned to include stops in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Ostend. However, due to unfavorable weather conditions, the aircraft diverted to Stene Aerodrome. While attempting to land under these adverse conditions, the plane struck a brick chimney belonging to a nearby factory and subsequently crashed, causing a fire.
All eleven individuals on board—passengers and crew alike—lost their lives. Among the victims was the newborn son of Grand Duchess Cecilie. A Belgian investigation determined that she had given birth during the flight, which influenced the pilot's decision to attempt a hazardous landing despite poor weather.
Crew and passengers
Crew:
- Antoine Lambotte – Pilot
- Philippe Courtois – Wireless operator
- Yvan Lansmans – Mechanic
Passengers:
- Georg Donatus, Hereditary Grand Duke of Hesse
- Cecilie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Hesse
- Prince Ludwig of Hesse
- Prince Alexander of Hesse
- The newborn son of Georg Donatus and Cecilie
- Eleonore, Grand Duchess of Hesse
- Joachim Riedesel zu Eisenbach – Family friend
- , renowned world-record glider pilot and family associate
- Sister Lina Hahn – Governess to the grand ducal family
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was a triple-engine Junkers Ju 52/3m airliner operated by SABENA, bearing the Belgian registration OO-AUB.
Aftermath
The wedding between Prince Louis of Hesse and by Rhine and Margaret Campbell Geddes, daughter of Sir Auckland Geddes, 1st Baron Geddes, was postponed until the morning following the accident. Baron Riedesel, who had been designated as best man, was succeeded by their mutual friend Oliver Chesterton. The ceremony was conducted in a subdued manner, with attendees dressed in mourning garments.
Subsequent to the wedding, Prince Louis and Margaret paid a visit to a hospital in Belgium where the deceased were laid out.
The only immediate family member absent from the ill-fated flight was the fourteen-month-old daughter of the Hereditary Grand Duke and Duchess, Johanna. She was later adopted by her uncle Louis in early 1938 but succumbed to meningitis in 1939.
With Prince Louis' passing in 1968, the male lineage of Hesse and by Rhine came to an end.
The effect of this tragedy on Cecilie's younger brother, Philip, was dramatized in season 2 of Netflix’s The Crown. Nevertheless, the series inaccurately portrayed Philip as having influenced Cecilie's decision to take the flight; in truth, her choice to travel was independent of him. Philip reportedly contemplated legal action against The Crown over this erroneous depiction.
See also
Bibliography
- Duff, David. Hessian Tapestry. David & Charles PLC, 1979.
