A Plane Crash That Changed History

The Munich Air Disaster: A Tragedy That Shocked the World

A Plane Crash that Changed History

On February 6, 1958, British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from Munich-Riem, killing 23 people, including eight players and three officials of the Manchester United football club. The disaster, known as the Munich air disaster, is one of the darkest days in the history of British sports history.

The Flight

British European Airways Flight 609 was a charter flight that was carrying the Manchester United team back to England after a game against Red Star Belgrade. The plane was a Vickers Viscount operated by British European Airways.

The flight took off from Belgrade at 2:34 p.m. local time and was scheduled to land at Manchester Airport at 6:30 p.m. The weather conditions were poor, with snow and fog. The plane made two unsuccessful attempts to take off before crashing on its third attempt.

The Crash

The plane crashed at 3:04 p.m., just minutes after takeoff. The impact killed all 23 people on board the plane. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error. The pilot, Captain James Thain, had failed to de-ice the plane's wings before takeoff. This caused the plane to stall and crash.

Aftermath

The Munich air disaster was a devastating blow to the Manchester United team. Eight players and three officials were killed in the crash. The team was one of the most successful in English football history, and the disaster had a profound impact on the club. The disaster also had a significant impact on the British public. The plane crash was one of the first major tragedies to be broadcast live on television, and it shocked the nation. The disaster led to a number of changes in aviation safety regulations, including the introduction of mandatory de-icing procedures.

Legacy

The Munich air disaster is remembered as one of the darkest days in British sports history. The disaster had a profound impact on the Manchester United team and on the British public. The disaster led to a number of changes in aviation safety regulations, and it is remembered as a reminder of the importance of safety in aviation.

Welt

Spiegel