What happened
On September 24, 2004, at approximately 20:39, a Piper PA 28-181 departed from Nordhorn-Lingen aerodrome for a series of circuit patterns as part of a night flight training session. The flight crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot, with the previous pilot of the aircraft acting as a passenger.
During the final circuit, the aircraft performed an unusually early and low turn into the crosswind leg of the southeast pattern. At approximately 20:41, radar tracked the aircraft in the southeast pattern, but the crew failed to make further radio contact following a landing and go-around. The aircraft subsequently struck trees approximately 700 meters southwest of runway 24. The impact caused the right wing to strike trees, followed by a massive secondary impact that tore the wings from the fuselage. The aircraft was located in a forested area at approximately 23:00 via its Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT). All three occupants sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft wreckage, flight records, and meteorological data. While the aircraft was properly maintained and within weight and balance limits, investigators noted that the engine was at full throttle and the flaps were in the 40-degree position at the time of impact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the instructor was qualified for night flight, the student pilot was performing his first-ever night flight. Meteorological reports indicated heavy cloud cover at 1,000 feet, intermittent rain, and high humidity, which likely caused significant haze and obscured the horizon.
Findings
- The flight was conducted under marginal weather conditions that made maintaining visual reference difficult.
- The student pilot was likely overwhelmed by the demands of the tight, low-altitude circuit patterns and the lack of a visible horizon.
- The flight instructor failed to recognize the developing loss of altitude.
- The aircraft's flight path was intentionally tight and low, likely an attempt to avoid clouds and maintain visual contact with the airfield lighting.