Piper Twin Comanche Crashes into Tree During Descent in Poor Visibility

Casualties unknown • Rockenhausen am Donnersberg/, DE

A single-engine pilot lost control of his aircraft while descending through low clouds and heavy snow, resulting in a fatal collision with a tree near Donnersberg.

What happened

On January 26, 2015, a Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche crashed near Rockenhausen, Germany, during a flight from Annemasse, France, to Mainz-Finthen. The pilot, an experienced professional, had planned the return leg for that day to attend a business appointment. While the flight began under favorable conditions, the aircraft encountered a developing weather front characterized by snow, rain, and significantly reduced visibility.

During the descent, the pilot informed air traffic services of his intention to descend to 3,50 and confirmed the local pressure setting. Radar data indicated that the aircraft was likely operating on autopilot. However, the aircraft descended continuously from 5,500 ft to approximately 2,200 ft AMSL, well below the intended altitude. At approximately 11:35 AM, the aircraft disappeared from radar. The wreckage was later discovered in a clearing on the Donnersberg, where the aircraft had struck a tree at high speed. The pilot sustained one fatality.

The investigation

The BFU investigation examined radar data, radio communications, and the aircraft's wreckage. Investigators noted that the aircraft was equipped for IFR flight but lacked the necessary equipment for flight in known icing conditions. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit layout, finding that the altimeter was positioned in a way that could be obscured by the control yoke or the pilot's hand. Meteorological analysis confirmed that the area was experiencing heavy snow and freezing rain, with visibility near the crash site reported as low as six to eight meters.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the conduct of the descent under highly restricted VFR conditions or within IMC, leading to the aircraft descending below the minimum safe altitude.
  • The pilot failed to maintain visual contact with the ground, likely due to the heavy snowfall and dense cloud cover.
  • Contributing factors included a potential misjudgment of the weather and the pressure of arriving for a scheduled appointment.
  • The non-standard instrument arrangement, specifically the difficult visibility of the altimeter, may have contributed to the pilot's failure to recognize the loss of altitude.
  • The aircraft was flying in weather conditions that likely caused icing, though the aircraft was not fully equipped for such operations.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot conducting a descent through instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while operating under visual flight rules (VFR), resulting in the aircraft descending below the minimum safe altitude and colliding with terrain.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-01-26 Piper Aircraft Corporation accident near Rockenhausen am Donnersberg/, DE?

A single-engine pilot lost control of his aircraft while descending through low clouds and heavy snow, resulting in a fatal collision with a tree near Donnersberg.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-01-26 involved a Piper Aircraft Corporation, at Rockenhausen am Donnersberg/, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot conducting a descent through instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while operating under visual flight rules (VFR), resulting in the aircraft descending below the minimum safe altitude and colliding with terrain.

Loading the flight search…