What happened
On November 17, 2024, at 11:31 local time, a Cessna 172, registration S5-DLM, crashed into terrain in the municipality of Beltinci, near the settlement of Gančani. The flight, operated by Letalski center Maribor, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) mission intended as a scenic flight for two passengers.
The aircraft departed from Maribor airport at 11:09 local time, initially following the planned route toward Murska Sobota. During the flight, the aircraft began a progressive descent. While performing a right-hand turn at a low altitude, the aircraft encountered thick fog and lost external visibility. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground approximately 950 meters southeast of Gančani. All three fatalities (the pilot and two passengers) occurred upon impact. The aircraft sustained 100% destruction, with the fuselage, wings, and engine separating during the high-energy impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the pilot's credentials, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the aircraft was airworthy and all required permits were valid. The pilot held a valid PPL license, though his authorization for controlled airspace (CVFR) had expired in September 2023.
Technical analysis of the wreckage and flight data showed no evidence of mechanical failure in the engine, propeller, or flight controls prior to the impact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making process, noting that the flight was being coordinated with friends via social media, which may have influenced the pressure to complete the scenic flight despite deteriorating weather.
Findings
- The direct cause of the accident was the aircraft striking the terrain following a loss of control during a maneuver at low altitude in conditions lacking external visibility.
- A contributing factor was the intentional or unintentional entry into a low cloud base and fog layer, which prevented the pilot from maintaining VFR requirements.
- The pilot was operating without instrument flight capabilities or experience in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The pilot' and passengers' desire to reach a specific destination despite the weather, combined with the stress of managing passenger expectations, likely contributed to the loss of situational awareness.
- The investigation noted a lack of systematic communication from the aircraft owner to club members regarding the specific rules and limitations of aircraft rental and usage.