Hessian Plane Crash 1937

[Eric_Lowe]

You are welcome, just trying to share what I know with others. 

[Kurt Steiner]

You are welcome, just trying to share what I know with others. 

That's the best present you can give, Eric.

Thank you all. Each little thread of this forum is a little wonder.

[Eric_Lowe]

Thanks again. I hope more people can do that instead of just critizing others without giving and sharing info with others. 

[rgt9w]

A link to some brief news footage of the time:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=13927

[Sunny]

I didn't know ANYTHING about this terrible accident - it's simply terrible. I'm not superstitious, i don't believe in curses and something, but knowing the story of Ernie and his family, and reading all this, one could really think there are cursed family.
It's simply dreadful.

[Ilana]

Fascinating footage!

[Kalafrana]

A quick look at wikipedia shows that the range of the pre-war version of the Junkers JU 52 was about 600 miles. Presumably the reason for the intended stop at Brussels was therefore to refuel, and it seems possible that what made it necessary to land at Ostend despite the fog was the fuel situation rather than the Grand Duchess going into labour, especially with a sea crossing to follow. Of course, if the pilot was low on fuel as well as having someone in labour on board, it was absolutely imperative to land and therefore the pilot made the decision to land at Ostend.

Where had the aircraft taken off from?

Of course, at that time there was no radar and so the aircrew and air traffic control were entirely dependent on the Mark 1 eyeball to avoid obstacles while landing.

Ann

[Sunny]

I was talking to my brother in law yesterday (he's studying to become a doctor, or better, he's quite a doctor), and told him about this plane crash and the corpse of the little baby; i don't want to talk about that - is too horrible - but he confirmed that even if Cecilie died in the crash, is medically correct to think that the labour had started due to the shock, and it went to an end since it was started - even if she died during the time the labour was over.
I'm sorry i "digged" this subject again - it's horrible even to think - but wanted you to know what a doctor said.

[Eric_Lowe]

It was a terrible thing and too awful to go through the details. Cecilie should have stay home and have her baby than take that trip.

[Sunny]

yes, but who could imagine?

[Eric_Lowe]

Still. In fact Tsarina Alexandra did not come to England for her beloved grandmama's furneral because she was pregnant with Anastasia. Cecilie should not be going as it seems her delivery time was so near. 

[blessOTMA]

Eric I have to agree...a women in her 8th months should not have been flying ....or  really traveling such a distance at all....also I don't understand everyone in one plane. Just temping fate. Very sad

[Sunny]

Oh, yes, Eric, i didn't understand in what sense; yes, you're really right. She was too pregnant.
Maybe they thought it was 36 years later and this made better security for a pregnant woman? Don't know.

[Kalafrana]

According to earlier posts, the aircraft took off from Cologne, which is some 200 miles from Ostend. Assuming it started with a full fuel load, it would have reached London, another 130 miles or so, with no fuel problems.

Ann

[Svetabel]

Still. In fact Tsarina Alexandra did not come to England for her beloved grandmama's furneral because she was pregnant with Anastasia. Cecilie should not be going as it seems her delivery time was so near. 

Such comparing is not correct. Alexandra was the Empress and could give birth to the heir of the throne. That's why she stayed at home.