Piper Malibu collides with railway overhead lines during night approach in Egelsbach

Casualties unknown • Egelsbach, DE

A Piper PA-46-350P Malibu struck railway overhead lines during a night landing approach at Egelsbach, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and local rail infrastructure.

What happened

On January 15, 2003, a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu was conducting a private IFR flight from Vienna-Schwechat, Austria, to Egelsbach, Germany. During the arrival phase at night, Frankfurt Approach cleared the aircraft to descend to 2,500 ft, subsequently canceling the IFR portion of the flight and instructing the pilot to descend to 1,500 ft under VFR conditions to land on runway 27.

As the aircraft approached the airfield, the pilot reported visual contact with the runway. While on short final, approximately 230 meters before the theoretical touchdown point, the low-wing aircraft collided with the overhead lines of the Frankfurt-Darmstadt railway line. The impact caused the aircraft to strike the ground immediately thereafter. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but the aircraft was heavably damaged. The collision caused significant damage to the railway infrastructure, affecting four tracks used by S-Bahn and long-distance trains, leading to several hours of service diversions.

The investigation

The BFU examined radar recordings, radio communications, and meteorological data from the German Meteorological Service. The investigation also reviewed the airfield's infrastructure, specifically the APAPI (Approach Visual Slope Indicator) system. The investigation confirmed that the APAPI system was operational and functioning correctly at the time of the accident. The BFU also reviewed records from the civil aviation authority regarding the installation of the visual approach aids.

Findings

  • The aircraft was following a steep approach angle of 4.5°, which is at the upper limit of standard glide paths and requires high pilot attention, particularly in high-performance aircraft like the Piper PA-46-350P Malibu.
  • Maintaining this steep glide path requires a reduction in airspeed and results in a shorter available landing distance (LDA), reducing the usable runway from 840 m to approximately 745 m.
  • While the APAPI system was designed to provide a precise optical glide path to ensure clearance over the overhead lines, the pilot failed to maintain sufficient altitude while crossing the wires.
  • The specific reason for the descent below the required clearance height during the short final segment could not be determined.

Probable cause

The aircraft descended below the required clearance altitude while crossing the railway overhead lines, though the exact cause for this altitude loss could not be established.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-01-15 Piper PA-46-350P Malibu accident near Egelsbach, DE?

A Piper PA-46-350P Malibu struck railway overhead lines during a night landing approach at Egelsbach, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft and local rail infrastructure.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-01-15 involved a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu, at Egelsbach, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft descended below the required clearance altitude while crossing the railway overhead lines, though the exact cause for this altitude loss could not be established.

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