What happened
On January 12, 2014, a Cessna 501 Citation I/SP crashed near the Trier-Föhren airfield in Germany. The aircraft, which was operating from Shoreham, United Kingdom, was on a flight to Trier-Föhren with two pilots and two passengers on board.
During the descent, the crew transitioned from Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) approximately seven minutes before the accident. While the pilot was aware that heavy fog was present at the destination, the aircraft continued an approach under VFR conditions. Radar data indicated the aircraft was descending through various altitudes before entering a turn toward the final approach path.
Witnesses near the Salm River observed the aircraft flying at an extremely low altitude, beneath the cloud ceiling, in the direction of Esch. The aircraft was seen performing a sudden climb and a left bank in an attempt to avoid terrain, but it struck a power line and a wooded slope. The impact caused the right wing to separate, the aircraft caught fire, and it struck the ground in an inverted position. All four fatalities (two pilots and two passengers) were confirmed at the scene, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight preparation, the transition from IFR to VFR, and the crew's decision-making process. Investigators examined radar data, cockpit voice recorder (though the CVR was unavailable due to the destruction of the aircraft), and witness statements. The investigation also looked into the organizational structure of the aircraft operator, noting that the flight operation lacked established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at the time.
Findings
- The pilot in command (PIC) decided to proceed with a VFR approach despite knowing that instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) prevailed at the destination.
- The aircraft likely followed an incorrect vertical profile due to a faulty setting on the navigation equipment.
- The crew failed to abort the descent in a timely manner because of a lack of visual references and insufficient situational awareness.
- Poor Crew Resource Management (CRM) contributed to the accident, characterized by a significant authority gradient and strained professional relations between the two pilots.
- The pilots had not reviewed current NOTAMs or weather updates from the company server prior to departure.
- While the aircraft was equipped with a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), the destruction of the aircraft prevented a definitive analysis of whether the system provided timely warnings.