What happened
On 11 August 1999, a Cessna 182Q, registration D-EPEE, was conducting a recreational flight from Tromsø toward Honningsvåg. The flight crew had previously consulted meteorological services and were aware of a frontal zone bringing low clouds, rain, and fog to the coastal regions of Finnmark. Despite being advised to postpone the flight due to the approaching weather, the pilot decided to proceed, likely motivated by the favorable conditions reported at the destination.
During the flight, the aircraft maintained contact with Hammerfest Tower, reporting passing the Forsø and maintaining a VFR flight plan. However, as the aircraft progressed toward the North Cape, weather conditions deteriorated. An observer near the Hammerfest airfield noted the aircraft flying at a very low altitude, approximately 300 to 400 feet, following the coastline amidst poor visibility and fog patches. The last radio contact occurred at 18:39 hrs. After the aircraft failed to respond to subsequent calls, a search operation was initiated. The wreckage was discovered the following morning on the island of Reinøya, where both occupants had died in the impact. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
The investigation
The investigation, supported by the German BFU, examined the aircraft's flight path, meteorological reports, and the wreckage. Investigators analyzed the pilot's navigation methods, noting the use of a mounted GPS and an ADF for position fixing. The wreckage examination revealed that the engine was producing power at the time of impact and that the aircraft had struck the ground with a high rate of descent. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's planned route, which included navigating around the high terrain of Burstadfjell.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the deteriorating weather conditions combined with the challenging coastal terrain.
- The pilot likely attempted to navigate between the high terrain of Burstadfjell and the island of Reinøya but became trapped by the low cloud ceiling.
- A descent into lower altitudes to remain below the cloud base likely resulted in the loss of visual cues and subsequent terrain impact.
- There was evidence of an over-reliance on GPS technology, which can provide a false sense of security when flying in marginal weather.
- The aircraft was well-maintained, and no mechanical failures were identified as contributing factors.