Munich air disaster

Munich air disaster
source
Name	Munich air disaster
Date	6 February 1958
Site	Munich-Riem Airport, West Germany
Origin	Belgrade, SFR Yugoslavia
Stopover	Munich-Riem Airport
Destination	Manchester Airport
Aircraft type	Airspeed Ambassador
Operator	British European Airways
Tail number	G-ALZU
Passengers	38
Fatalities	23
Survivors	21

Munich air disaster. The Munich air disaster was a fatal aircraft crash that occurred on 6 February 1958 at Munich-Riem Airport in West Germany, involving an Airspeed Ambassador aircraft operated by British European Airways. The flight was carrying the Manchester United F.C. football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes", along with supporters and journalists, back from a European Cup match in Belgrade. The crash resulted in 23 fatalities, including eight players, and had a profound impact on the world of association football and British society.

Background

The aircraft was returning the Manchester United F.C. squad from a victorious European Cup quarter-final match against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia. The team, managed by Matt Busby and featuring young talents like Duncan Edwards and Roger Byrne, was considered one of the finest in England. After a refueling stop at Munich-Riem Airport in West Germany, the flight was scheduled to continue to Manchester Airport. The weather in Munich was poor, with slush and snow reported on the airfield, complicating the departure.

The crash

After two aborted takeoff attempts due to boost surging in the Ambassador's Bristol Centaurus engines, the crew prepared for a third attempt. At approximately 3:04 pm local time, during the third takeoff run, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient lift, overran the end of the runway, crashed through a fence, and struck a house. The fuselage broke apart, and a fire erupted in the wreckage. Immediate rescue efforts were undertaken by airport personnel and local emergency services, including the Munich fire department.

Aftermath and casualties

In total, 23 people died in the crash or from their injuries in the following days. Among the fatalities were eight Manchester United F.C. players: Geoff Bent, Roger Byrne, Eddie Colman, Duncan Edwards, Mark Jones, David Pegg, Tommy Taylor, and Billy Whelan. Also killed were club secretary Walter Crickmer, trainer Tom Curry, and coach Bert Whalley. Journalists from publications like the Manchester Evening News and the Daily Mail were among the other victims. Manager Matt Busby and player Bobby Charlton were among the 21 survivors, with many suffering serious injuries.

Investigation and causes

Official investigations by West German authorities and a separate inquiry by the British Air Ministry were conducted. The initial West German report blamed the crash on slush on the runway, which reduced acceleration and prevented the aircraft from reaching takeoff speed, a condition known as "slush drag." However, this conclusion was controversial, and a later British inquiry suggested that ice on the wings may have been a critical factor. The role of the aircraft's captain, James Thain, was scrutinized, and he was initially blamed before later investigations exonerated him.

Legacy and memorials

The disaster devastated Manchester United F.C., but the club, under the recovered Matt Busby, eventually rebuilt and won the European Cup a decade later in 1968. A permanent memorial at Old Trafford features a clock and plaque bearing the names of the victims. Annual remembrance services are held at Manchester Cathedral and at the Old Trafford memorial. The tragedy is commemorated in songs, literature, and films, and it remains a defining moment in the history of both Manchester United F.C. and British sport.