[1] The Convair CV-240-12 involved was built in 1949 with serial number 154 and registration OO-AWQ and was used by the Belgian airline company Sabena from 1 April 1949 until its destruction in 1953.

The aircraft ultimately became uncontrollable and stalled, crashing in a wooded area near Kelsterbach about two miles north of the airport she departed from.

Firefighters and four ambulances reached the crash scene after following the rising smoke plume but it was quickly discovered that all 44 onboard had perished in the flaming wreckage.

[4][5][6] The cause of the crash was determined to possibly be a heavy deposit of lead on the spark plugs in the engines.

[7] The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and post-crash fire with only pieces of debris scattered around the wooded area.