2012 Diamond DA 42 crash at Schwerin-Parchim Airport

Incident Overview and Flight History On 28 May 2012, a Diamond DA 42 Twin Star, operated by a private ownership group, crashed into a field south of Schwerin-Parchim Airport (EDOP) in Parchim, Germany. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and one passenger sustained serious injuries, while two passengers were killed. The incident was investigated by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) under case number CX009-12. The pilot, a 58-year-old Swiss national, had planned a multi-day trip with his wife and acquaintances. On 24 May 2012, he flew the chartered aircraft from Basel, Switzerland, to Westerland on Sylt. During the flight, he noted a 5-10% power loss in the right engine, which he compensated for without logging it. After dropping off passengers, he intended to fly to Billund, Denmark, for a business meeting. On 25 May, following a right-engine power loss during a takeoff attempt from Sylt, maintenance personnel replaced the propeller control valve. The pilot was informed the aircraft was airworthy. On 26 May, he flew the aircraft to Parchim with passengers. The return flight to Basel was scheduled for 28 May. The aircraft was fueled for a five-hour flight in Parchim.