On Schmellwitzer Street in Cottbus, in northeast Germany, stands an old five-story apartment building.
Major Makowicka instead guided the plane away with the intention of crashing it into an empty field.
But with losing altitude, Makowicka couldn’t get that far.
Major Makowicka was killed instantly.
He was later awarded the Battle Order for Services to People and Fatherland in gold for his heroic sacrifice.
The crash also killed five residents of the building, all women and employees of the TKC.
Another woman died from severe smoke inhalation after being admitted to the hospital.
Shortly after the crash, the Cottbus fire department arrived on the scene and started evacuating the building.
Many residents jumped out of the windows in panic, causing serious injuries.
One hour fifteen minutes after the crash, the fire was by and large extinguished.
The area was cordoned off.
Two days later, the hole in the building was patched up.
This patchwork of new concrete and paint is discernable to this day.
The building as on April 2018.
The repair hole is still visible.
This hatch, located in the wheel well, was attached with only 4 out of 36 screws.
To save time, the hatch was attached with four screws cross wise.
The aircraft took off normally but during flight vibrations loosed the screws.
With the landing gear retracted, the hatch held.
Major Peter Makowicka
The crash caused panic among Cottbuss population.
They called for suspension of air traffic from the Cottbus airfield.
Mothers feared to send their children to schools located on the approach path to the airfield.
Textile employees went on strike.
Despite the relocation, on March 16, 1985, another malfunctioning MiG-21 crashed in Cottbus.
Fortunately, it was Saturday and the dormitory was empty.
