Swift died , aged 44 , in the Munich air disaster after reporting on Manchester United 's European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in Belgrade , Yugoslavia for the News of the World . On 6 February 1958 , the flight back to Manchester carrying the Manchester United team and journalists made a refuelling stop at Munich-Riem Airport in poor weather . Two take-off attempts were abandoned due to engine problems , with the weather continuing to deteriorate . On the third attempt , slush on the runway prevented the aircraft from reaching the required speed for take-off . The plane veered off the runway and crashed into a house . One of 23 victims of the disaster , Swift was one of two journalists pulled alive from the wreckage but died on his way to hospital , as his seat belt had cut into his aorta
Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
Frank Swift