What happened
On May 31, 2008, a Moravan Z 43 departed Jena-Schöngleina (EDBJ) at 19:58 local time, bound for Rudolstadt-Groschwitz (EDOK). The flight was a private VFR mission carrying four occupants: the pilot, a flight instructor, and two passengers. The aircraft had previously made an unplanned landing in Jena earlier that evening to avoid approaching thunderstorms and heavy rain.
During the stop in Jena, the crew received an urgent call from a family member reporting that severe flooding had entered their home. Despite the original plan to remain grounded and continue the journey by car, the crew decided to proceed with the flight, explicitly disregarding advice from airport personnel in Jena. While the primary storm front had moved north, the flight path remained near the edge of the weather system.
Radar data indicated that the aircraft initially maintained a course of 2/39 degrees toward its destination. However, approximately 5 nautical miles from the destination, the aircraft deviated significantly to the right with a large westward component. At approximately 20:18, the aircraft struck a wooded hillside near Teichel. A witness in the nearby village of Milbitz reported hearing an engine noise followed by a "double bang."
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft, the flight path, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft, a single-engine Moravan Z 43, was destroyed upon impact, and a fire broke out in the cockpit and engine area.
Investigators analyzed radar tracks and witness statements to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. They also reviewed the licenses and medical certificates of the crew. The pilot's license was found to have been subject to a class rating renewal, and evidence suggested the pilot may have been short of the required flight hours for that renewal. The flight instructor was a highly experienced pilot with over 2,000 flight hours.
Meteorological data from the Erfurt station and radar imagery were used to assess the weather. While the main storm cells had moved north, the area was experiencing heavy fog, low clouds, and high humidity, with temperatures and dew points at 17°C, creating conditions of very low visibility.
Findings
- The impact occurred in a wooded area, causing the aircraft to break apart and the wings to separate from the fuselage.
- The decision to proceed with the flight despite severe weather warnings and local advice was a critical factor.
- Extremely limited visibility due to heavy fog and low cloud cover was present at the time of the crash.
- The aircraft struck the terrain at a high rate of descent or angle, as evidenced by the destruction of the airframe and the impact with trees.
- The aircraft was carrying 60 liters of fuel at the time of departure.