Munich air disaster

The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958 when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport, Munich, Bavaria, West Germany.

On the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes", along with supporters and journalists. 20 of the 44 on the aircraft died at the scene. Three more died at a Munich hospital, resulting in 23 fatalities with 21 survivors.

An investigation said that the crash was caused by the slush on the runway, which slowed the plane too much to take off.

Deaths

Crew members
Captain Kenneth "Ken" Rayment. Co-pilot. Died in hospital five weeks later as a result of brain damage.

Passengers
Manchester United players
Geoff Bent
Roger Byrne
Eddie Colman
Duncan Edwards (survived the crash, but died in hospital 15 days later)
Mark Jones
David Pegg
Tommy Taylor
Billy Whelan

Manchester United staff
Walter Crickmer, club secretary
Tom Curry, trainer
Bert Whalley, chief coach

Journalists
Frank Swift, News of the World (also former England and Manchester City goalkeeper; died on his way to hospital)
Donny Davies, Manchester Guardian

References

Category:1958 in Europe
Category:20th century in Munich
Category:Disasters in Germany

Category:Aviation accidents and incidents involving professional sports teams
Category:Manchester United F.C.
Category:1957–58 European Cup