What happened
On the morning of September 7, 1998, a Cessna F 172 H was performing a return flight from Zell am See, Austria, to Mannheim-Neuostheim, Germany. The pilot had chartered the aircraft and was accompanied by a passenger. Following a weather consultation via telephone in Salzburg, the pilot proceeded with the flight, noting that while high fog and multi-layered clouds with low ceilings were present near the departure area, conditions were expected to improve following the passage of an Atlantic cold front.
During the flight, the pilot attempted to climb through a gap in a seemingly thin cloud layer. In the process of maneuvering, the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions. In an attempt to regain visual flight rules (VFR) conditions, the pilot reduced engine power and initiated a turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft collided with trees on a steep slope near Dürnberg at an altitude of 1,250 m MSL. The impact resulted in one pilot seriously injured and one passenger lightly injured, while the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The accident was investigated by a commission from the Austrian authorities, which produced a final report. The investigation focused on the flight conditions and the pilot's decision-making regarding weather transitions. The inquiry established that the pilot's attempt to navigate through a cloud gap led to a loss of visual reference.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the continuation of a VFR flight in deteriorating weather conditions.
- A misjudgment of the distance to the cloud layer led to the aircraft entering instrument conditions.
- Once inside the clouds, the pilot experienced a loss of orientation.
Safety action
- The investigating experts suggested that training regarding personal decision-making strategies should be implemented in both basic and advanced flight training courses.