Munich Memorial

Remembering the Busby Babes and all who perished on February 6, 1958.

The Munich Memorial honors the victims of the crash on February 6, 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 failed to take off at Munich-Riem Airport. The aircraft carried the Manchester United team, known as the "Busby Babes," along with supporters and journalists, returning from a European Cup match in Belgrade. Of the 44 people on board, 23 died: 21 at the scene (or shortly after) and two more later at Munich's Rechts der Isar Hospital. The disaster occurred after two aborted take-off attempts due to engine issues, followed by a third attempt in falling snow that created slush on the runway. This tragedy destroyed the nucleus of a team aiming for their third successive league title.

Quick Facts

Fatalities at scene: 21
Additional deaths in hospital: 2

Lore & Background

The crash happened after Captain James Thain rejected an overnight stay in Munich to avoid falling behind schedule. On the third take-off attempt at 15:03, snow had formed a layer of slush at the end of the runway. After hitting the slush, the aircraft ploughed through a fence and struck a house, ripping off the left wing. The tail section broke off, hit a barn containing a parked fuel truck, which exploded. Goalkeeper Harry Gregg helped pull survivors from the wreckage while Thain evacuated passengers. Originally, West German authorities blamed Thain for not de-icing, but the 1969 UK Board of Trade inquiry cleared him, ruling that snow slush slowed the plane too much to allow takeoff. The team had been unbeaten in 11 matches, were the reigning league champions, and held the FA Charity Shield at the time of the crash.

Reader's Guide

It confirms the team was returning from Belgrade via Munich to Manchester in an Airspeed Ambassador 2 (registration G-ALZU). The crash involved 44 people on board with 23 fatalities and 21 survivors. Key figures mentioned include Captain James Thain, co-pilot Kenneth Rayment, and goalkeeper Harry Gregg. The team was six points behind Wolverhampton Wanderers with 14 games left in the league. It also states it took ten years for the club to recover, eventually winning the European Cup in 1968 under Busby.

Did You Know?

The flight stopped in Munich for a scheduled refueling stop, not because the aircraft's range was insufficient.
Half-back Bobby Charlton sent a telegram reading: 'All flights cancelled, flying tomorrow.'
Before the final take-off attempt, players including Eddie Colman moved to the back of the plane believing it was safer.