What happened
On the evening of January 14, 2009, a Socata TB 20 was conducting a flight from Zielona Góra/Babimost, Poland, to Nordhorn-Lingen, Germany. The flight initially proceeded under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to Münster-Osnabrück, where the pilot transitioned to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at night.
During the approach to Nordhorn-Lingen, the pilot maintained contact with Bremen Radar, reporting that the airfield was not yet in sight. After eventually confirming visual contact with the field, the aircraft performed a series of maneuvers in the pattern. Radar data and witness accounts indicate that the aircraft flew a wide right-hand turn, attempting a second approach to runway 06. During the final turn into the landing pattern, the low-wing aircraft struck trees, causing the fuselage to break and the tail section to separate. The aircraft struck the ground at a steep angle with high forward speed. All three persons on board were killed.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined radar recordings, weather data, and cockpit communications. The investigation reviewed the qualifications of both occupants, noting that the pilot in the left seat lacked night and IFR ratings, while the highly experienced pilot in the right seat was the designated Pilot in Command (PIC) but had limited experience with this specific aircraft type. Investigators also analyzed meteorological reports from the German Weather Service, which showed deteriorating visibility and low cloud ceilings in the area prior to the accident.