Fatal Crash of Piaggio P 149D at Torgau-Beilrode Aerodrome

Casualties unknown • Torgau-Beilrode, DE

A Piaggio P 149D aircraft crashed during an approach at Torgau-Beilrode, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On April 27, 2008, a Piaggio FW P 149D was conducting a VFR flight from Hodenhagen to Görlitz. Prior to departure from Hodenhagen, the pilot refueled the aircraft with 203 liters of AVGAS. Following the initial takeoff and a short circuit, the pilot landed briefly to secure an engine cowling flap that had been left unlatched after the pre-flight inspection. The aircraft departed again at 16:22.

During the flight, a female passenger, who held a private pilot license, occupied the right seat and operated the controls in a dual-control capacity. At approximately 17:58, witnesses observed the aircraft approaching the Torgau-Beilrode landing field with an irregular engine rhythm, flying at increasingly low altitudes. While executing a left turn during the base leg for runway 08, the low-wing aircraft banked sharply to the left at a low altitude. The aircraft struck a field with a high pitch angle, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and two fatalities (the pilot and the passenger).

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the flight sequence, and the site of the impact. Investigators found the aircraft 335 meters short of the threshold of runway 08. The impact caused a post-crash fire that destroyed the central cabin and engine area.

Physical examination of the propeller revealed that all three blades of the variable-pitch propeller were bent backward; two blades had broken from the hub and were embedded in the ground. Notably, no rotation marks were visible on the blades. The investigation also noted that the fuel tanks were empty upon discovery, though no spilled fuel was found at the crash site. A critical piece of evidence was discovered at the departure airfield in Hodenhagen: the fuel filler cap from the right wing tank was found near the glider launch area at the start of runway 21.

Findings

  • The aircraft struck the ground with a high pitch angle during a low-altitude turn.
  • The missing fuel filler cap from the right wing tank, found at the departure airfield, indicates a significant oversight during the pre-flight or refueling process.
  • The engine was observed to be running irregularly prior to the impact.

Probable cause

The aircraft crashed during a low-altitude turn while approaching the runway, following an irregular engine rhythm; the discovery of the missing fuel tank cap at the departure airfield suggests a failure in pre-flight inspection or securing the aircraft after refueling.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2008-04-27 VFW Piaggio FW P 149D accident near Torgau-Beilrode, DE?

A Piaggio P 149D aircraft crashed during an approach at Torgau-Beilrode, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2008-04-27 involved a VFW Piaggio FW P 149D, at Torgau-Beilrode, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft crashed during a low-altitude turn while approaching the runway, following an irregular engine rhythm; the discovery of the missing fuel tank cap at the departure airfield suggests a failure in pre-flight inspection or securing the aircraft after refueling.

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