What happened
On August 24, 2013, a vintage-style Udet U12/S 'Flamingo' biplane was participating in an aviation event at the Tannheim airfield. The crew intended to fly the aircraft back to Oberschleißheim, but several aircraft were queued for departure on runway 09 due to an approaching weather front.
At approximately 11:47 local time, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. Witnesses observed that shortly after lifting off, the aircraft touched the ground again and subsequently veered to the left. The aircraft departed the runway, colliding with a parked motor glider and a temporary tent. The aircraft eventually came to rest in a cornfield adjacent to the airfield. While the crew remained uninjured, three persons on the ground sustained injuries, including one person with serious injuries. The aircraft and the parked glider both sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the flight controls of the Udet U-12/S 'Flamingo'. Investigators found that the connections of the control surfaces were intact and showed no defects. An inspection of the engine and the fuel system revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction. The aircraft was a wooden-structure biplane powered by a BRAMO SH 14 engine, and the investigation confirmed that the fuel supply was functioning normally at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a loss of directional control shortly after takeoff, leading to a leftward veer.
- The aircraft veered off the runway and struck ground objects, including a parked glider and a tent.
- There were no mechanical or engine-related failures identified in the control systems or fuel delivery.