Incident Overview
Date: Monday 17 February 1941
Aircraft Type: Junkers Ju-52/3mg5e
Owner/operator: Luftwaffe
Registration Number: 4V+EH
Location: Strait of Messina –
ÿ Italy
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Aircraft missing, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Aircraft structure (specifically the fuselage and wings)Aircraft structure (specifically the fuselage and wings)
Category: Accident
On July 12, 1942, the Ju-52 aircraft, flying too low, disappeared in the Straits of Messina. The aircraft struck the sea, resulting in the loss of three crew members ? Uffz Heinz Scherwarth, radio operator Ofw Helmut Stein, and flying engineer Gefr Helmut Gottschalk ? and the death of the fourth crew member, identified as a German document.On July 12, 1942, the Ju-52 aircraft, flying too low, disappeared in the Straits of Messina. The aircraft struck the sea, resulting in the loss of three crew members ? Uffz Heinz Scherwarth, radio operator Ofw Helmut Stein, and flying engineer Gefr Helmut Gottschalk ? and the death of the fourth crew member, identified as a German document.
Description
The Ju-52 disappeared in the Straits of Messina, probably after striking the sea while flying too low, with its crew of four. Three are listed as missing and the fourth as killed in the German documents. Crew: Uffz Heinz Scherwarth (pilot) MIA Fw Heinz Clausen (radio) KIA Ofw Helmut Stein (flying engineer) MIA Gefr Helmut Gottschalk (ground crew (1.Wart)) MIA
Primary Cause
Possible impact with the sea during flight, leading to structural damage and loss of control.Possible impact with the sea during flight, leading to structural damage and loss of control.Share on:
