What happened
On December 17, 2002, a Cessna 414A was performing a flight from Egelsbach to Frankfurt-Hahn under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The flight had been modified earlier that day due to weather, with the pilot having previously flown from Cottbus-Drewitz to Leipzig and then to Egelsbach.
At approximately 13:38 local time, the pilot established contact with the Hahn Tower, requesting a "simulated ILS approach" for runway 03. The controller provided headings and altitudes as recommendations, instructing the pilot to maintain VFR conditions. During the approach, the aircraft was directed to fly specific headings and perform holding maneuvers due to expected traffic delays.
As the aircraft progressed toward the final approach, it was flying at altitudes between Flight Level 22 and 23. At 13:53, the aircraft was last recorded on radar. Shortly thereafter, the controller attempted to contact the pilot multiple times without success. The aircraft subsequently struck trees in the Idarwald forest at an altitude of approximately 2,297 ft MSL. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart and catch fire, resulting in two fatalities (the pilot and one passenger).