Accident Overview
On 04 March 2025 at approximately 12:30 UTC, a Grumman American AA-5B aircraft crashed during final approach to runway 07 at Flugplatz Zell am See (LOWZ). The aircraft struck a field adjacent to the runway. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and the aircraft was destroyed.
Flight Information
The aircraft was operating a private VFR flight from Banja Luka (LQBK) to Luxembourg (ELLX) with a planned intermediate landing at Zell am See for refueling. The pilot intended to refuel at the airport before continuing the journey.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a Grumman American AA-5B, registered in Luxembourg and owned by a private individual. No further details about the pilot were provided in the report.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the accident resulted from a loss of control during the final approach. Contributing factors that may have played a role include:
- Possible insufficient monitoring of airspeed by the pilot.
- Possible distraction caused by the pilot searching for a refueling dispenser at the airport that was reported as non-functional; the pilot had stated before departure his plan to refuel at Zell am See and was looking for the dispenser.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident is a loss of control during the final approach. The investigation identified two probable factors: the pilot may have insufficiently monitored airspeed, and the pilot may have been distracted by searching for a non-functional refueling dispenser at the airport.