What happened
On November 21, 1998, a Bo 209 Monsun was performing circuit maneuvers at Hodenhagen. The flight began with two pilots executing maneuvers in the direction of runway 21. Approximately eight minutes into the flight, the aircraft was observed by a flight instructor on the taxiway approaching the end of the runway. The aircraft was seen in a spinning descent from an altitude of approximately 200 ft AGL. The aircraft struck a frozen field approximately 500 m before the runway threshold, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators from the BFU examined the wreckage and the flight conditions on-site. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was properly maintained, having undergone a comprehensive inspection two and a permit two and a half months prior to the accident. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits. The pilot held a valid private pilot license with significant flight experience, including 52 hours in this specific model. Medical examinations of the occupants revealed no health issues that would have impaired their ability to fly.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were marginal. While ground visibility was between 2 and 4 km, a bank of fog was approaching from the south, with cloud bases as low as 300 ft AGL. The temperature was 0°C. The investigation noted that the required circuit altitude of 700 ft MSL could not be maintained due to the low cloud ceiling, and the aircraft likely flew through clouds or cloud fragments during the maneuver.
Findings
- The aircraft was in an airworthy condition with no mechanical defects identified.
- The pilot attempted the flight under deteriorating weather conditions.
- The primary cause of the accident was that the pilot fell below the minimum maneuvering speed during the landing approach.
- Spatial disorientation cannot be ruled out as a contributing factor due to the low cloud ceiling and visibility.