What happened
On October 21, 2012, a Mooney M 20 E was performing circuit patterns at the Rosenthal-Field Plössen (EDQP) airfield. The aircraft, which had been purchased by the pilot on the left seat only 14 days prior, had completed 16 circuits that day. During the approach, the pilot on the right seat notified the tower that visibility had deteriorated and that they intended to perform a 180-degree turn to land on runway 27.
Witnesses observed the aircraft disappear into fog during its climb and later saw it descending at a steep angle in a left-hand bank. The aircraft eventually struck a field approximately 500 meters before the threshold of runway 27. The impact occurred in a level flight attitude with a high sink rate. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft, the site, and the meteorological conditions. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the weight and center of gravity were within limits. There was no evidence of engine failure or mechanical malfunction. The investigation also reviewed the pilots' flight experience and the cockpit configuration, noting that the aircraft was not equipped with shoulder harnesses.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to execute a turning maneuver to intercept the final approach for runway 2/27, but the turn was initiated too late.
- Sun glare combined with haze and fog significantly reduced visibility, likely causing the pilots to lose all ground references.
- The pilots failed to execute a go-around despite the deteriorating conditions and the loss of visual references.
- The lack of shoulder harnesses contributed significantly to the severity of the fatal head and upper-body impacts against the instrument panel.