Havørn Accident
| Industry | Airline |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Norway |
| Products | Air transport services |
The Havørn Disaster () took place on 16 June 1936 at 07:00 when a German-manufactured Junkers Ju 52 operated by Norwegian Air Lines crashed into the mountain Lihesten located in Hyllestad, Norway. Traveling from Bergen to Tromsø, the aircraft unknowingly deviated 15 to 20 km eastward from its intended flight path. All seven individuals aboard—comprising four crew members and three passengers—lost their lives, marking Norway's inaugural fatal aviation incident. The wreckage settled on a ledge of the mountain; initial recovery efforts retrieved four bodies, while a subsequent expedition led by Boye Schlytter and Henning Tønsberg, coordinated by Bernt Balchen, recovered the remaining victims.
Accident
On 7 June 1936, Norwegian Air Lines initiated the Bergen–Tromsø route utilizing Havørn, a Junkers Ju 52 (registration LN-DAE) purchased from Deutsche Lufthansa. At 06:30 CET on 16 June, the plane departed from Bergen’s Sandviken water aerodrome carrying four crew members and three passengers, along with thirteen bags of mail weighing 50 kg each.
Captain Ditlev Pentz Smith, aged 27, was a seasoned pilot with experience in both military and civil aviation, supported by first officer Erik Storm, reserve pilot Peter Ruth Paasche, and radio operator Per Erling Hegle. The passengers included Inspector Sven Svensen Løgit, Consul Wilhelm Andreas Mejdell Dall, and journalist Harald Wigum from Bergens Tidende.
The weather report forecasted southeast winds between 5 and 15 km/h, overcast conditions with cloud bases around or below 200 meters, and visibility near 4 kilometers. The last radio contact at 06:54 indicated cloud cover between 1000 and 1500 meters altitude and visibility ranging from 4 to 10 kilometers. The aircraft was reportedly navigating toward Krakhellesundet as planned under adverse weather conditions.
In reality, the plane was flying 15 to 20 kilometers east of its designated course. Witnesses observed that after crossing Sognefjorden, it turned westward and began climbing. Around 07:00, the aircraft struck Lihesten mountain at approximately 600 meters above sea level. The impact ignited a fire visible from surrounding areas, scattering debris along the mountain’s base. This controlled flight into terrain represented Norway’s first deadly aviation accident.
Salvage and investigation
Residents quickly assembled at the foot of the mountain, with Sheriff Kaare Bredvik arriving by 08:30. Two badly burned bodies were discovered immediately but could only be identified later at the hospital. Reports of survivors emerged due to observed movement on the slope. Communication with Sogn Police District proved difficult, requiring messages to be relayed through Bergen, which alerted the media and mobilized local reporters. Deputy Mayor Hans A. Risnes's residence functioned as the command center. The absence of radio communication complicated search efforts, leading to a system of “shouting relays” for coordination. Experienced climbers attempted three ascents to reach a ledge about above but were unsuccessful.
Chief of Police Alf Reksten assumed command in the afternoon. The vessel Mira from Bergen Steamship Company (BSD) arrived carrying medical personnel, Red Cross supplies, police experts, firefighters, airline officials, representatives from Norway Post, and journalists. The sister aircraft Najaden transported relatives of the victims and reporters but was unable to land for salvage assistance. A Widerøe plane brought DNL's technical director Bernt Balchen, aviation authority Captain Eckhoff, and an insurance official. Alongside Reksten and Bredvik, they formed the investigative team.
Following an aerial survey conducted by Balchen, five climbers began their ascent at 18:00. They reached the ledge where two bodies were recovered along with important mail items and aircraft components including a wing fragment. These bodies were lowered down; however, attempts to access the main wreckage containing three more bodies were halted by Balchen due to safety concerns. The ship Mira returned to Bergen at 02:00.
The following day, four climbers attempted another descent; Magnus Nipen was lowered , but the remaining proved inaccessible. Balchen declared further access impossible and returned to Oslo.
Local volunteers persisted: Magnus Kolgrov along with Robert and Bernt Porten descended an additional , retrieving two mail bags but still unable to reach the wreckage itself. This ten-hour effort concluded with police stationed atop to prevent looting and enforce a ban on climbing.
A letter published in Aftenposten on 17 June suggested that Norsk Tindeklub undertake reaching the ledge. Consequently, Boye Schlytter and Henning Tønsberg were dispatched by the club; they joined police officer Hermann Heggenes and firefighter/photographer Alf Adriansen under Balchen’s direction aboard BSD's Vulcanus. This mission notably marked Norway’s first use of climbing bolts—borrowed from Arne Næss, Jr.—recently employed in climbs within the Dolomites.
The team commenced their climb at 19:00 and reached the first ledge two hours later where they established a field radio station. They arrived at the main shelf containing the aircraft that same evening. While they recovered the remaining bodies and some mail items, they judged further removal too hazardous and descended by 01:30. On 20 June at 10:00, they resumed their ascent; Bernt Porten made several climbs halfway up carrying water supplies and lowering bodies wrapped in tarpaulin. All were safely brought down by 21:00.
Aftermath
The airline extended compensation offers to the local residents, which were respectfully declined in a letter dated 27 June, expressing that they were simply pleased to assist.[1] On 21 August, Schlytter, Tønsberg, Robert Porten, and Heggenes were honored with the Medal for Heroic Deeds during a ceremony held shortly thereafter at Hotel Continental, Oslo.[2]
In the early months of 1937, the widow and father of Erik Storm initiated legal action against Norwegian Air Lines, seeking both financial compensation and restoration of Storm’s reputation.[3] Although the family had received insurance payments, they pursued further responsibility. They appealed to the Parliament of Norway requesting an additional inquiry; nevertheless, after evaluations by police and governmental bodies, Parliament opted not to proceed with further measures.[4] The case was ultimately withdrawn following a settlement with the airline, which publicly absolved Storm of any blame.[5]
On 23 May 1937, mountaineers retrieved a gold ring and wristwatch from the crash location and returned these items to the airline. They proposed recovering more remains for a fee of 500 Norwegian krone, but this offer was refused as those remains had already been interred.[1]
To compensate for the lost aircraft, DNL purchased another Ju 52 from Lufthansa bearing the name Falken.[6] Parts of the wreckage are currently displayed at Flyhistorisk Museum, Sola.[7] A commemorative monument was inaugurated midway up the mountain on 14 June 2008, with approximately 200 attendees present.[8]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Nordstrand (2006): 92
- ↑ Aftenposten Aften, 21 & 23 August 1936
- ↑ Aftenposten Aften, February–April 1937
- ↑ Aftenposten Aften, April–May 1937
- ↑ Aftenposten, February 1938
- ↑ Nerdrum (1986): 80
- ↑ Bergens Tidende, June 2011
- ↑ Bergens Tidende, June 2008