Incident Overview
On September 12, 1999, at approximately 17:03 local time, a mid-air collision occurred in the traffic pattern of Donaueschingen airfield. The incident involved a Reims Aviation F 150 L (Cessna C150) and a Piper Aircraft Corporation PA 28-181 Archer II. The C150 was destroyed upon impact with the ground, resulting in the death of its pilot. The PA 28 sustained heavy damage but was able to land safely at Donaueschingen.
Flight Operations
The C150 pilot, a 42-year-old male, was conducting a cross-country flight from Tannheim to Donaueschingen for a Private Pilot License (PPL-A) renewal. He had a total of 84:16 flight hours, though his license validity had lapsed in August 1996 due to insufficient recent flight time. The PA 28 pilot, a 53-year-old male with 307 total hours, was operating a private sightseeing flight with three passengers, departing from and returning to Donaueschingen.
Collision Dynamics
Weather conditions were visual flight rules (VFR) with visibility exceeding 10,000 meters. The C150 approached from the southeast, overflying the airfield before entering the circuit. The PA 28 was climbing in the opposite direction at approximately 3,000 feet MSL. Neither pilot saw the other aircraft until impact. The C150 struck the PA 28 from behind and above; the PA 28's propeller severed the C150's tail assembly, rendering it uncontrollable. The C150 crashed to the ground, while the PA 28 continued its flight and landed safely.