Investigation Summary
The aircraft, a preserved 1944-built C-47 that had participated in the 1948–49 Berlin Airlift, was operating a local sightseeing flight over Berlin. Shortly after departing Schönefeld Airport at approximately 15:00 local time, the left Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engine failed. Investigation by the BFU determined that the failure was caused by the separation of the cylinder head from the cylinder barrel on the number 2 cylinder of the left engine, resulting from fatigue cracking. The crew found the aircraft unable to maintain altitude or gain height; with 28 souls on board, the aircraft was at a weight where single-engine climb performance was severely limited, especially during the critical initial climb phase. Recognizing the inability to return to the runway or clear obstacles, the pilots executed a left turn and successfully set the aircraft down in an open field near the construction site of the future Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport. The impact caused significant damage to the port wing and tail section. A fire ignited from spilled fuel but was quickly extinguished by airport emergency services. All passengers and crew evacuated the airframe unassisted, though seven individuals sustained injuries.
Final Conclusions
The accident was caused by the failure of the left engine during the initial climb phase, which prevented the aircraft from maintaining flight. The technical root cause was a fatigue fracture in the cylinder head of the number 2 cylinder, leading to its separation from the barrel. The successful emergency landing by the flight crew prevented any fatalities among the 25 passengers and 3 crew members.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Engines
The aircraft was powered by two twin-row, 14-cylinder radial engines. The failure of the left unit during the critical climb phase left the aircraft with insufficient power to maintain altitude.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was one of the last two planes to take off from Berlin Tempelhof Airport before its closure in 2008.
- 02Among the passengers was Stefan Kaufmann, a member of the German Bundestag.
- 03The aircraft was a historic veteran of the 1948–49 Berlin Airlift, carrying serial number 16124/32872.
- 04Seven people were injured, with four requiring hospitalization.
- 05The airport was closed for fifteen minutes following the crash to allow emergency services to respond.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Restoration Initiative
Following the crash, Air Service Berlin announced intentions to restore the historic 'Rosinenbomber' due to its cultural significance, receiving donations from around the world, including from Berlin Airlift pilot Gail Halvorsen.