Accident
On December 14, 2008, at 1204 UTC, a Piper PA-46T, registration N403HP, serial number 46-36312, crashed in a wooded area during a visual approach to the Voslau Aerodrome (LOAV) in Baden, Austria. The pilot and passenger on board were killed, and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Flight Details
The airplane was operating under an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan from Shoreham-by-Sea Airport, Sussex, England, United Kingdom, to LOAV. Prior to entering the traffic pattern at LOAV, the pilot cancelled his IFR clearance.
Sequence of Events
According to the Austrian Accident Investigation Branch, after cancelling IFR, the pilot descended onto a downwind leg for runway 31. LOAV advised the pilot that they were landing on runway 13. The pilot then made a left turn inbound toward LOAV in an area of high terrain west of the airport, where the elevation was 2,880 feet MSL. At the time, the airplane was at 2,600 feet MSL. LOAV advised the pilot to avoid this area, as the pilot had reported his position as 5 miles east of LOAV. During a right turn from downwind to final for runway 13, the airplane collided with the terrain.
Investigation
This investigation is under the jurisdiction and control of the Austrian government. Further information may be obtained from the Federal Office of Transport, Accident Investigation Branch, Department Aviation, Postfach 207, 1000 Wien, or Lohnergasse 9, 1210 Wien, Austria. This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information released by, or obtained from, the AIB of Austria.