FlightFinder
Check my flight
1 fatality

Piper PA 34-200T Crash at Rostock-Laage, 5 December 1996

Rostock-Laage, DE

On December 5, 1996, a Piper PA 34-200T was involved in an aviation accident near Rostock-Laage, DE. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control following wake turbulence encounter from a preceding military aircraft (E-3A/Boeing 707 derivative). This summary draws on records from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).

Sourcesthe German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-11Data APIEditorial standards

A Piper PA 34-200T crashed at Rostock-Laage on 5 December 1996 while on approach. The sole pilot died after losing control following wake turbulence from a preceding military aircraft.

Accident Overview and Context: On 5 December 1996, a Piper PA 34-200T, commonly known as the Seneca, suffered a fatal accident at Rostock-Laage airport in Germany. The investigation, conducted by the German Federal Aviation Accident Investigation Office (BFU, then FUS), determined that the crash resulted from the pilot's loss of control due to encountering wake turbulence from a heavy military aircraft that had just landed and executed a touch-and-go procedure. The accident report was published in January 1999 under the case number 3X487-0/96. The flight originated in Kiel, Germany, with the intention to pick up passengers at Laage, operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control following wake turbulence encounter from a preceding military aircraft (E-3A/Boeing 707 derivative).
Weather

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Dec 1996 Piper PA 34-200T accident near Rostock-Laage, DE?

A Piper PA 34-200T crashed at Rostock-Laage on 5 December 1996 while on approach. The sole pilot died after losing control following wake turbulence from a preceding military aircraft.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Dec 1996 Piper PA 34-200T accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Dec 1996 involved a Piper PA 34-200T, at Rostock-Laage, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's loss of control following wake turbulence encounter from a preceding military aircraft (E-3A/Boeing 707 derivative).

More accident analyses