Fatal collision involving motor glider in Neidlingen

Casualties unknown • Neidlingen / Reußenstein, DE

A motor glider crashed into a wooded slope near Reußenstein, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On June 13, 2010, a HOAC Austria HK 36 R Super Dimona motor glider was conducting a private VFR flight from Uetersen to Riedlingen. During the flight, the pilot performed a refueling stop at Schwäbisch Hall, departing at 13:39 local time.

Shortly before 14:00, witnesses in Neidlingen observed the aircraft flying south into the valley, where it disappeared into low-hanging clouds near the Albkante ridge. Other observers near Schopfloch noted the aircraft flying from the north, disappearing into cloud cover, and reappearing on a northward heading approximately one minute later, before once again entering the clouds near the ridge.

At approximately 14:00, members of a mountain rescue team conducting an exercise near the Reußenstein castle ruins heard a loud bang and saw a shadow passing over the treetops. The motor glider had collided with trees on a steep slope. The impact caused the destruction of the aircraft and resulted in two fatalities.

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined the flight path using GPS data from a Garmin 150XL and a Garmin 90 unit. The investigation also analyzed meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD) and radiosonde ascents from Stuttgart.

Investigators determined that the aircraft struck the trees while flying on a northeasterly course with a 15-degree right bank. The collision tore away parts of the wings and tail, and the fuselage was destroyed upon impact with the ground. No fire occurred at the site.

Findings

  • The aircraft was flying in conditions with extremely low visibility; witnesses reported visibility in the valley was approximately 20 meters.
  • While official weather reports indicated VFR conditions for the broader region, local conditions at the Albkante ridge were characterized by low cloud layers and fog caused by a weak northern/northeastern airflow.
  • The pilot had not obtained updated weather information from an aviation advisory center prior to the flight.
  • The aircraft was a composite low-wing design with a T-tail, operated by a club and registered in Germany.

Probable cause

The aircraft collided with trees on a steep, wooded slope due to the pilot flying into low cloud layers and fog at the Albkante ridge, where visibility was significantly reduced to approximately 20 meters.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2010-06-13 HOAC Austria HK 36 R Super Dimona accident near Neidlingen / Reußenstein, DE?

A motor glider crashed into a wooded slope near Reußenstein, resulting in two fatalities and the destruction of the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2010-06-13 involved a HOAC Austria HK 36 R Super Dimona, at Neidlingen / Reußenstein, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft collided with trees on a steep, wooded slope due to the pilot flying into low cloud layers and fog at the Albkante ridge, where visibility was significantly reduced to approximately 20 meters.

Loading the flight search…