On September 2, 1997, a Beechcraft 90 King Air (registration D-ITCH) operated by Roland & Meckbach was involved in an aviation accident near Wildeshausen, Germany during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck trees and ignited following its departure from Ahlhorn. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A solo pilot was killed when their twin-engine aircraft struck trees and caught fire following takeoff near Ahlhorn.
What happened
Following its departure from Ahlhorn, a twin engine aircraft entered into a collision with a group of trees. The impact caused the aircraft to crash, resulting in a post-crash fire that consumed the wreckage. The pilot, who was the only person on board at the time of the accident, sustained fatal injuries during the event.
Findings
No specific official findings regarding the mechanical or operational status of the aircraft were provided in the initial report, though the sequence of events indicates the crash occurred during the initial climb phase following takeoff.
Probable cause
The aircraft struck trees and ignited following its departure from Ahlhorn.