Sabena Flight 548

Sabena Flight 548 crashed on landing approach to Brussels, Belgium, on February 15, 1961, killing all 72 persons on board as well as one person on the ground. The crash was the first one involving a Boeing 707, but it was notable because the dead included the entire United States Figure Skating team who were en route to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Related Topics:
Brussels - Belgium - February 15 - 1961 - Boeing 707 - United States Figure Skating - World Championships - Prague - Czechoslovakia

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The plane, OO-SJB, was a Boeing 707-329 which had departed from Idlewild Airport in New York City. There was no indication of trouble on board the plane until it approached the Brussels airport. The pilot had to circle the airport while waiting for a small plane to clear the runway, then, according to eyewitnesses, the plane began to climb and bank erratically and crashed suddenly in a field near the hamlet of Berg. The exact cause of the crash was never determined, although the FAA reported that the most likely hypothesis was failure of the stabilizer adjusting mechanism.

Related Topics:
Boeing 707-329 - Idlewild Airport - New York City - FAA

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All 18 athletes of the 1961 U.S. World Figure Skating team and several family members, coaches, and officials died in the crash. The dead included, most notably, former 9-time U.S. ladies champion Maribel Vinson-Owen and her two daughters, reigning U.S. ladies champion Laurence Owen and reigning U.S. pairs champion Maribel Y. Owen. The loss of the U.S. team was considered so catastrophic for the sport that the 1961 World Championships were cancelled.

Related Topics:
Maribel Vinson-Owen - Laurence Owen - Maribel Y. Owen

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