what percent of 109 losses...

[muddyboots]

were actually non combat ie, landing accidents?

Anybody know, with a decent source?

[fritzthefox]

I've heard about 5%, in a variety of places. JG26 combat records mention about a 4.5% loss rate due to landing/takeoff accidents.

Some sources equate all non-combat losses with landing accidents and quote a much higher percentage...about half...but that is a fallacy. Non-combat losses are attributable to a wide variety of causes, including forced landings, mechanical failures, collision, etc.

[lmritger]

Because the official Luftwaffe loss records for 1944 have been MIA since the war, a true tally can't be compiled... however, off the top of my head, I want to say the figure of all losses due to non-combat causes is somewhere north of 15%. I've got the info somewhere at home, and will post it once I dig it up.

Cheers,

Lynn

[Lightninglover]

See this webpage for a lot of info on the 109. Towards the bottom they talk about aciident losses.

http://www.virtualpilots.fi/feature/articles/109myths/