Overview
On a flight from Bremen to Frankfurt-Egelsbach, a Beechcraft King Air (F90) changed from IFR to VFR rules prior to final approach. The aircraft subsequently collided with trees, crashed in a wooded area, and caught fire. The right-hand cockpit seat was occupied by a passenger who conducted radio communications. The approach to runway 27 at Egelsbach was chosen and executed via the High Performance Aircraft Approach (HPA-approach) as published in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).
Sequence of Events
From 1558 hrs, the aircraft was under control of Langen Radar. The controller issued instructions including a request to report if able to cancel IFR, followed by descents to 5,000 ft, 4,000 ft, and 3,000 ft. The aircraft was cleared to fly from entry point Hotel 1 to Hotel 2 then Hotel 3. At 1613 hrs, while overhead entry point Hotel 2, the King Air reported visual meteorological conditions (VMC) and switched to visual flight rules (VFR). At that time, radar recorded ground speed at about 180 kt. Langen Radar confirmed and instructed to continue descent and report passing 1,500 ft. About 42 seconds later, the pilot was instructed to contact Egelsbach Info.
The first radio call to Egelsbach Info occurred at 1615:06 hrs at an altitude of about 1,500 ft and ground speed of about 190 kt. Egelsbach Info advised the aircraft was north of the approach centreline and asked for a left course correction. Wind was reported as easterly at 4 knots with Runway 27 in use. The controller stated lights and flashes were on. Ground speed reduced from about 190 kt to about 130 kt over 1.3 NM. From 3.7 NM to 2.5 NM from the aerodrome, the aircraft descended from 1,500 ft to 1,000 ft. At 1616:03 hrs, Egelsbach Info advised the aircraft was coming onto the centreline, and later confirmed it was on centreline. The aircraft then descended from 900 ft to 800 ft. Egelsbach Info advised "check your altitude" when the aircraft was at about 800 ft. Two seconds later, at 1616:18 hrs, radar data indicated the aircraft height as about 700 ft, after which no further radar indication was received. The terrain in that area is about 620 ft, with trees extending to about 700 ft AMSL. At 1616:24 hrs, Egelsbach Info requested a slight right course alteration; no reply was received. A subsequent transmission about 22 seconds later also went unanswered. Egelsbach Info alerted emergency services, who arrived at about 1638 hrs and found a burning wreck.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause as the descent during final approach which led into a fog layer and obstacles. Contributing factors were: a too high descent rate; impaired performance and insufficient situational awareness favored by the intake of alcohol; failure to establish visual contact with the PAPI or airfield; and insufficient use of on-board navigation aids.