Incident Overview
On September 20, 2009, a single-engine light aircraft operated by an aviation club crashed shortly after takeoff from Porta Westfalica (EDVY). The flight, conducted under visual flight rules (VFR), was intended to be a private trip to Damme (EDWC) with the pilot and three passengers on board. Witnesses reported that the aircraft entered a steep climb immediately after liftoff before rolling over its left wing. It subsequently struck a tree located approximately 60 meters from the runway centerline and impacted a nearby pond.
Aircraft and Crew Details
The aircraft was a Pierre Robin DR 400/180, a wood-constructed low-wing monoplane built in 1994 with serial number 2232. It was powered by a Lycoming O-360-A3A engine. At the time of the accident, the aircraft had accumulated 1,995 flight hours and 5,639 landings. The pilot, a 45-year-old private pilot license holder, had approximately 20 hours of total experience since obtaining his license in March 2008. His specific type rating on the DR 400/180 included 17 hours and 49 takeoffs and landings.
Investigation Findings
The German Federal Aviation Office (BFU) concluded its investigation summarily under § 18 FlUUG, focusing solely on factual circumstances rather than assigning liability. Meteorological conditions at the time were visual meteorological conditions (VMC), with winds from 280° to 320° at 10 knots and visibility of 8,000 meters. The aircraft was fully loaded with fuel and passengers, totaling a payload of 440 kg. Three occupants self-extricated from the submerged wreckage, while one individual required assistance from emergency services to be freed from their seatbelt. The investigation report was issued on June 28, 2011.