What happened
On the afternoon of August 21, 1998, a single-pilot private flight departed Dinslaken for Donaueschingen. The pilot, operating an EXTRA EA 400, had filed an IFR flight plan. After an initial departure under visual flight rules (VFR), the aircraft climbed through severe weather conditions toward 11,000 ft MSL.
During the climb, the aircraft's performance became unstable. Witnesses near Hagen observed the aircraft emerging from clouds in a steep dive, appearing to struggle with high angles of attack. The aircraft was seen performing several violent oscillations with sink and climb rates exceeding 10,000 ft/min. Despite the pilot's attempts to regain control and a brief period of level flight, the aircraft eventually entered a final, uncontrolled descent. The aircraft struck a federal highway near Hagen, causing a post-crash fire that destroyed the airframe. The accident resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the aircraft's technical configuration and the pilot's proficiency with the new model. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was operating under a provisional permit that limited certain automated systems, such as the autopilot and anti-icing equipment, to daylight VFR operations only.
The investigation examined the aircraft's trim settings and the functionality of the S-TEC 55 autopilot. While no technical malfunction of the autopilot was found, investigators noted the aircraft was trimmed significantly "tail-heavy." The BFU also reviewed the pilot's recent training, noting that while the pilot had completed a brief familiarization consisting of five takeoffs and landings, he had not yet undergone extensive instrument training in this specific model.
Findings
- The pilot was operating a new aircraft type with insufficient procedural knowledge of its specific systems, including the EFIS, GPS, and autopilot modes.
- The pilot relied on habits learned from a previous aircraft (Cessna Navomatik 400 B), which did not translate effectively to the EXTRA EA 400.
- The aircraft entered an aerodynamic stall likely due to a combination of high pitch trim and the autopilot's vertical speed mode (VS) maintaining a pitch attitude that led to an overspeed or stall condition during the climb.
- Heavy turbulence and significant wind speeds (up to 45 knots) contributed to the unstable flight path.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with the new cockpit automation led to inadequate monitoring of airspeed and angle of attack.