What happened
On August 1, 1999, a Centre-Est-Aeronautique DR 400/180R departed from runway 08 at the Münsingen-Eisberg glider airfield for a pleasure flight. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and three passengers. Witnesses reported that the takeoff roll up the incline proceeded normally. However, shortly after lift-off, the aircraft briefly maintained a level flight attitude before pitching up to a high angle of attack. The aircraft then entered a steep right-hand turn with significant bank angle. At an altitude of approximately 30 to 50 meters, the aircraft stalled and impacted the ground heavily, subsequently catching fire. One occupant was ejected from the aircraft, while the remaining four fatalities occurred within the wreckage.
The investigation
The BFU investigation, conducted alongside local police, examined the aircraft and the pilot's credentials. The aircraft was a single-engine, four-seat wooden construction aircraft powered by a Lycoming O-360-A3A engine. It was fully airworthy, with its last annual inspection completed in March 1999. The pilot held a valid private pilot license with appropriate ratings for single-engine landplanes and motor gliders, though his total flight experience was approximately 110 hours.
Investigators analyzed the flight path and environmental conditions, noting that the weather featured visibility over 10 km and gusty winds caused by thermal activity. While the exact weight and center of gravity could not be determined due to the destruction of the aircraft, estimates suggested the aircraft was likely within permissible limits. The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight behavior immediately following rotation, noting that the aircraft briefly disappeared from view before pitching up sharply.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain the minimum airspeed during the climb phase.
- The aircraft likely entered a stall due to an attempt to gain altitude by pulling up after an initial period of low-speed flight.
- The presence of thermal updrafts and downdrafts may have contributed to the loss of control.
- The impact intensity and the subsequent post-crash fire rendered the accident unsurvivable.