victims of the Munich air disaster



- Geoff Bent, English footballer (b. 1932)

- Roger Byrne, English footballer (b. 1929)

- Eddie Colman, English footballer (b. 1936)

- Walter Crickmer, English footballer and manager (b. 1900)

- Mark Jones, English footballer (b. 1933)

- David Pegg, English footballer (b. 1935)

- Frank Swift, English footballer and journalist (b. 1913)

- Tommy Taylor, English footballer (b. 1932)

The Munich Air Disaster: A Tragic Day for Manchester United

The Munich Air Disaster, a profoundly tragic event in aviation and football history, occurred on 6 February 1958. British European Airways Flight 609 crashed during its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in West Germany. The aircraft, an Airspeed Ambassador G-ALZU, was carrying the acclaimed Manchester United football team, famously known as the "Busby Babes," along with dedicated supporters and a contingent of journalists.

Out of the 44 individuals on board, 20 lost their lives at the scene of the crash. The injured, some critically and others unconscious, were swiftly transported to the Rechts der Isar Hospital in Munich. Tragically, three more succumbed to their injuries at the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to 23. This left 21 survivors from the devastating accident.

The Journey and Critical Stopover

The Manchester United team was en route back to England following a triumphant European Cup match in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. They had just secured their place in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition by eliminating Red Star Belgrade, a significant achievement for an English club at that time.

A direct, non-stop flight from Belgrade to Manchester was beyond the operational range of the "Elizabethan"-class Airspeed Ambassador aircraft. Consequently, the flight was mandated to stop in Munich for refuelling. After the aircraft had been refuelled, Captain James Thain and co-pilot Kenneth Rayment initiated their first take-off attempt. However, they were forced to abort due to significant "boost surging" in the left engine, a critical issue indicating fluctuating power delivery.

A second take-off attempt was also abandoned for the same reason. Facing considerable delays and fearing they would fall too far behind schedule, Captain Thain, after consultation, decided against an overnight stay in Munich. Instead, a third take-off attempt was planned, driven by the desire to return home promptly. By this point, snow had begun to fall heavily, contributing to the formation of a treacherous layer of slush towards the end of the runway, a factor that would prove catastrophic.

The Catastrophic Third Take-off and Aftermath

As the aircraft accelerated down the runway for its third attempt, it encountered the deep slush. This significantly impeded the aircraft's speed, preventing it from reaching the necessary take-off velocity. Upon hitting the slush, the Airspeed Ambassador effectively hydroplaned and failed to lift off. It ploughed through a fence located beyond the runway's end, and its left wing was violently torn off as it struck a nearby house.

The fuselage then continued its destructive path, with the tail section breaking away and colliding with a barn. Inside the barn was a parked fuel truck, which immediately caught fire and exploded, adding to the inferno. Fearing that the aircraft itself might also explode, Captain Thain demonstrated immense bravery, immediately beginning to evacuate passengers from the wreckage. Manchester United's courageous goalkeeper, Harry Gregg, also played a heroic role, actively pulling survivors to safety from the burning debris.

The Investigation and Captain Thain's Exoneration

The initial investigation conducted by West German airport authorities controversially placed blame on Captain Thain. Their preliminary report alleged that he had failed to de-ice the aircraft's wings, implying negligence. However, this claim was directly contradicted by multiple eyewitness statements, which indicated that de-icing had been unnecessary for the wings and that the main issue lay elsewhere.

It was later conclusively established, after a prolonged and arduous investigation that lasted a decade, that the primary cause of the crash was the accumulation of slush on the runway. This slush had critically slowed the plane's acceleration, preventing it from achieving the required take-off speed. The phenomenon, often referred to as hydroplaning, meant the aircraft was unable to generate sufficient lift. Captain Thain was finally cleared of all blame in 1968, ten years after the tragic incident, vindicating his actions and restoring his reputation.

The Enduring Legacy and Rebirth of Manchester United

Before the disaster, Manchester United was on the cusp of an extraordinary achievement. Under the visionary leadership of manager Matt Busby, they were aiming to become only the third club in English football history to win three successive Football League titles. At the time of the crash, they were just six points behind league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers with 14 games still to play, a highly surmountable deficit.

The team also held the FA Charity Shield and had just progressed to their second successive European Cup semi-finals, showcasing their dominance not just domestically but also on the European stage. They boasted an impressive unbeaten run of 11 matches, underlining their formidable form and immense potential. The "Busby Babes" were so named due to their remarkable youth and prodigious talent, representing a golden generation that promised unparalleled success for English football.

The Munich Air Disaster not only cruelly derailed the team's immediate title ambitions but, more profoundly, shattered the very nucleus of what many believed would have been one of the greatest generations of players in English football history. The loss was immeasurable, both in human terms and for the trajectory of the club.

It took a monumental effort and approximately ten years for Manchester United to truly recover from the profound tragedy. Displaying incredible resilience, Matt Busby painstakingly rebuilt the team from the ground up, nurturing a new generation of "Babes." This remarkable rebuilding culminated in a deeply symbolic and emotional triumph when Manchester United, with survivors like Bobby Charlton playing a pivotal role, won the European Cup in 1968. This victory, exactly a decade after the disaster, served as a powerful testament to the club's enduring spirit and the legacy of those lost in Munich.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Munich Air Disaster?

The Munich Air Disaster was a tragic plane crash that occurred on 6 February 1958, involving British European Airways Flight 609 at Munich-Riem Airport. The aircraft was carrying the Manchester United football team, known as the "Busby Babes," along with club staff, supporters, and journalists.

Who were the "Busby Babes"?

The "Busby Babes" was the affectionate nickname given to the young and exceptionally talented Manchester United football team assembled by manager Matt Busby in the 1950s. They were renowned for their youth, skill, and promising future, many of whom had come through the club's youth academy.

How many people died in the Munich Air Disaster?

Out of the 44 people on board, 23 individuals tragically lost their lives as a result of the Munich Air Disaster. This included players, club staff, journalists, and aircrew.

What caused the Munich Air Disaster?

The definitive cause of the Munich Air Disaster was determined to be the slush on the runway. This accumulation of slush prevented the aircraft from reaching the necessary take-off speed, causing it to hydroplane and crash. While initial investigations falsely blamed pilot error, this was later disproven.

How did Manchester United recover from the Munich Air Disaster?

Manchester United underwent a long and arduous recovery process, largely led by manager Matt Busby who survived the crash. He painstakingly rebuilt the team over a decade, integrating new talent and survivors. This rebuilding culminated in the club winning the European Cup in 1968, exactly ten years after the disaster, symbolizing their resilience and honouring the memory of those lost.