What happened
On November 3, 2014, a Piper Aircraft PA 28-161 Cadet departed from Donaueschingen airfield for a private local flight. The aircraft, operated by a flight school, was piloted by a single occupant. Following the path of the Danube River, the aircraft flew southeast and east toward Tuttlingen, gaining altitude as it passed over the city area.
During the flight, the aircraft initiated a left turn toward Esslingen. At approximately 10:28 local time, the aircraft struck two upper wires of a 20,000-volt high-voltage power line near the Tuttlingen railway station. The impact caused a short circuit, triggering the automatic shutdown of two power line systems. The resulting electrical failure caused power outages affecting railway lines and nearby businesses, leading to canceled train services.
Following the collision, the pilot returned to Donaueschingen and landed on runway 18 at 10:39 local time. The aircraft sustained heavy damage during the incident. The pilot later stated that he had overlooked the power lines and struck them with the propeller.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight path, the condition of the aircraft, and the impact site. Investigators examined the wreckage and found scratches on the leading edge of the propeller, as well as significant damage to the engine cowling and the right wing's leading edge. Debris from the aircraft's lighting systems was found scattered around the collision site. The investigation also reviewed the power grid infrastructure, noting that the severed lines were positioned at a height of approximately 28 to 31 meters.