Accident Overview
On October 27, 2016, at approximately 0946 UTC, a Mooney M20T, registration N400MW, owned and operated by a private individual, impacted the runway at Saarbrucken-Ensheim Airport (EDDR) in Saarbrucken, Germany. The pilot on board sustained fatal injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The accident occurred during a personal cross-country flight under instrument meteorological conditions.
Flight History
The flight had departed Pattonville Airport (EDTQ) in Remseck, Batten-Wurttemburg, Germany, and was destined for EDDR. As the airplane approached Saarbrucken, it entered a holding pattern east of the airport, which lasted for approximately two hours. Subsequently, the pilot flew an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to land. The tower controller cleared the airplane to land but was unable to visually acquire the aircraft due to the prevailing weather conditions.
Weather Conditions
At 0950 UTC, the reported weather at EDDR included wind from 280 degrees at 3 knots, runway visual range for runway 27 of 22 meters, visibility of 0.1 statute mile with fog, temperature and dew point both 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and an altimeter setting of 30.57 inches of mercury. These conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.
Investigation
The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU). All further inquiries should be directed to the BFU.