Flight History
The Piper PA-32R-301T departed Zweibrücken at 11:37 local time on a private flight to Berlin Tempelhof under instrument flight rules. On board were the pilot, who was also a co-owner, and two passengers. Shortly before reaching flight level 90, a passenger reported a smell of something burning. The pilot did not initially notice anything but later saw gray smoke and flames from the engine.
At 11:48:38, the pilot transmitted a mayday call stating fire on board. Frankfurt Radar suggested an emergency landing at Ramstein, 8 nautical miles away, and instructed the pilot to set the transponder to 7700. The pilot initiated a left turn toward Ramstein and a high-rate descent.
Emergency Landing
During the descent, the windshield melted, and smoke and flames entered the cabin. At 11:50:41, Ramstein Tower alerted the airfield fire department via the primary crash phone that an aircraft with fire on board was approaching runway 09. At 11:51:57, the tower updated that the aircraft would land on runway 27.
On landing, the pilot lost control due to reduced visibility and heat. The aircraft collided with parts of the VASIS glide slope lighting system and came to a stop on grass 55 meters beside the runway. The emergency locator transmitter activated at 11:52:41.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and one passenger escaped the aircraft; the second passenger died in the wreckage. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The impact and post-crash fire caused extensive damage, including a ruptured right wing fuel tank and subsequent fuel fire.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed thermal damage concentrated on the right rear side of the engine near the turbocharger and heat exchanger. Oil deposits were found on the cover plate between the oil filter area and turbocharger. The fabric of the cabin heating hose on the right side was largely decomposed by heat. The heater control levers in the cockpit were in mid-position. The windshield had melted. The turbocharger showed no defects. No leakage was found in oil lines individually tested, though one charge air line over the turbocharger heat shield was thermally damaged. The source of the oil that fueled the fire could not be definitively determined.
Emergency Response
The first rescue vehicle arrived at 11:53:41 but was equipped only with hand extinguishers. The first fire-fighting vehicle (type P-23) arrived at 11:55:08 and began suppression. Fire was declared out at 11:59:13. The response was affected by the initial direction toward runway 09 and a parked DC-8 blocking direct access from the south fire station.