What happened
On September 17, 2012, a private recreational flight departed from the Mohorn landing field at 08:30 local time. The pilot, operating a Flysynthesis Storch 582 ultralight aircraft, was accompanied by one passenger. The flight was part of a planned sightseeing excursion following a training session conducted the previous day.
Shortly after departure, witnesses observed the aircraft north of Niederschöna. During the flight, the aircraft performed a turning maneuver, which transitioned into a steep, vertical descent. Eyewitness accounts described the aircraft spiraling downward in a counter-clockwise motion, rotating at least once around its axis before striking the ground. The impact occurred on a flat, dry agricultural field. The collision resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BFU examined the wreckage and the engine components to identify any mechanical failures. The investigation included a teardown of the Rotax 582 engine at the manufacturer's facility. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's flight logs, which indicated 41 hours of total flight experience, and examined meteorological data from the nearby Dresden airport, which reported stable visual flight rules (VMC) conditions at the time of the accident.
Findings
Technical examination of the wreckage and the engine revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or technical defects. The engine components, including the gearbox, cylinders, and pistons, showed only normal wear and no signs of damage prior to the impact. While the impact and subsequent fire destroyed the ignition system and carburetors, the internal engine components remained intact. The investigation established that the aircraft entered a high-energy spiral dive prior to impact.