What happened
On November 14, 2011, a Cirrus Design Corp. SR 22 crashed into a wooded hillside near Gleisweiler, Germany. The aircraft had departed from Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (EDSB) at approximately 15:59 local time, bound for Düsseldorf (EDDL). The flight was being conducted under special VFR conditions with one passenger on board.
Radar tracking showed the aircraft flying north along the Rhine Valley. After passing Landau at a low altitude of approximately 100 to 150 meters above ground level, the aircraft entered an area of heavy fog. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying extremely low before it disappeared into the mist. Shortly thereafter, a loud impact was heard. The aircraft struck a rising, tree-covered slope northwest of Gleisweiler, impacting the treetops before hitting the ground. The impact caused a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft wreckage. Both occupants were killed in the accident.
The investigation
The BFU investigation established that the pilot was highly qualified, holding professional licenses from the United States, England, and Qatar, with approximately 1,000 total flight hours. The aircraft was properly registered and maintained, with its last annual inspection completed in September 2011. The aircraft was equipped with an Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and avionics capable of IFR flight.
Investigators found that the weather in the region was characterized by high fog and developing moisture, which significantly reduced visibility. While the aircraft was capable of flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), the pilot chose to proceed under VFR conditions. Radar data indicated the aircraft climbed to 1,600 feet AMSL shortly before the impact, but the terrain in the area was rising toward 2,000 feet AMSL.
Findings
- The pilot elected to fly under VFR conditions despite being warned by air traffic services about deteriorating weather.
- The flight was conducted at a low altitude through terrain with significant obstacles.
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to fly under highly restricted VFR conditions at low altitude, leading to a collision with terrain and obstacles.
- Meteorological conditions included low stratus clouds and visibility that had dropped to below 1 km in certain areas.
- No technical malfunctions or mechanical failures were identified in the aircraft or its systems.