Piper PA-28 Collision with High-Voltage Power Lines near Stade

Casualties unknown • nahe Stade, DE

A private flight between Mainz and Kiel resulted in a mid-air collision with a power line, causing heavy damage to a Piper PA-28-161.

What happened

On August 13, 2001, a Piper PA-28-161 was conducting a private flight from Mainz to Kiel. After an intermediate stop in Peine-Eddesse, the pilot departed at 17:40. At approximately 18:36, while flying over the Elbe river northeast of Stade, the aircraft struck the earth wire of a high-voltage power line. The impact occurred 60 meters away from a transmission tower located on the island of Lühesand.

The collision caused heavy damage to the aircraft, specifically tearing the lower skin of the left wingtip for approximately 104 cm. Parts of the wing structure fell into the Elbe. Following the strike, the pilot was unable to land at Stade due to poor visibility and instead diverted to Rotenburg (Wümme), where the aircraft landed safely at 19:08. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage and the power line was affected.

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined radar records, weather reports from the German Meteorological Service (DWD), and flight planning communications. Radar data showed the pilot flew directly toward the Nienburg VOR and then toward the Elbe VOR, a route that crossed the power line's path.

Weather analysis revealed that at the time of the accident, the area was experiencing misty conditions with light to moderate drizzle following a warm front. Horizontal visibility was estimated between 2 and 4 km, with potential drops to 1.0–1.5 km. Cloud ceilings were low, with stratus layers between 300 and 900 ft AGL.

Records showed the pilot had consulted aviation weather services multiple times that day. During a 16:51 consultation, the pilot was specifically warned of deteriorating conditions and was advised to fly a different route via Bremen to avoid the low clouds and poor visibility.

Findings

  • The pilot failed to follow the recommended flight path provided by the aviation advisory center.
  • The pilot encountered the predicted low-visibility and low-cloud conditions, which likely forced the aircraft to fly at low altitudes.
  • The pilot did not identify the high-voltage towers or the power lines in time to avoid the collision.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to timely recognize the high-voltage power lines and towers, likely due to flying into predicted low-visibility and low-cloud conditions after deviating from a recommended, safer flight route.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-08-13 aircraft accident near nahe Stade, DE?

A private flight between Mainz and Kiel resulted in a mid-air collision with a power line, causing heavy damage to a Piper PA-28-161.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-08-13 involved a aircraft, at nahe Stade, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to timely recognize the high-voltage power lines and towers, likely due to flying into predicted low-visibility and low-cloud conditions after deviating from a recommended, safer flight route.

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