What happened
On December 5, 1996, a Piper PA 34-200T was conducting a VFR flight from Kiel to Rostock-Laage to pick up passengers. The pilot, an experienced former military aviator, was flying solo. During the final approach to runway 28, the aircraft encountered the wake turbulence generated by a previously landed Boeing E-3A Sentry.
As the aircraft entered the final approach phase, the pilot followed the E-3A at a short interval. The controller issued a warning regarding the expected wake turbulence, to which the pilot acknowledged. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft lost control and struck the overrun area of the opposing runway (runway 10) in an inverted position. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU investigation utilized several data sources, including witness statements, wreckage analysis, radio communications between the Laage tower and the pilot, airport radar data, and flight data recorder (FDR) information from the preceding E-3A aircraft.
The investigation examined the pilot's flight history, the aircraft's maintenance and weight/balance status, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation also analyzed the separation between the two aircraft and the specific flight path of the Piper relative to the E-3A's wake.