What happened
On October 17, 2016, a Piper Aircraft PA-60-601P Aerostar was conducting a VFR flight from Bitburg to Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden. While entering the airport traffic pattern, the pilot performed a continuous right-hand turn that transitioned directly from the downwind leg to the base and final legs without following standard procedure. During this maneuver, the aircraft was flying at a high bank angle of approximately 45 degrees and a speed of roughly 120 knots.
The pilot reported that the left engine failed during the final approach, causing the aircraft to roll to the left. However, the aircraft struck the ground on a field northeast of runway 21 threshold at approximately 12:43 local time. The impact destroyed the aircraft and ignited a fire due to escaping fuel. The pilot sustained severe injuries.
The investigation
The BFU examined GPS and radar data, which reconstructed the flight path and revealed that the pilot did not follow the recommended standard traffic pattern. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's engines and the pilot's medical history. While the pilot claimed a left engine failure, physical evidence on the propeller blades—including impact marks and deformation—suggested that both engines were likely producing power at the moment of ground contact.
Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the pilot's medical records. While a recent medical certificate indicated a fit status, hospital records following the accident revealed significant pre-existing conditions, including hypertension and evidence of chronic cardiac failure. Additionally, discrepancies were found regarding the pilot's vision; hospital findings suggested a significant loss of vision in the left eye, which the pilot had not reported to his medical examiner.
Findings
- The approach was unstabilized, characterized by an excessive bank angle and high speed during the turn into final approach.
- The pilot failed to follow the recommended traffic pattern, which would have allowed for a stabilized descent.
- The pilot's diminished visual field and eyesight likely contributed to the difficulty in maintaining situational awareness and monitoring instruments.
- The pilot's failure to report known medical conditions, including hypertension and visual impairments, was noted.
- Evidence indicates that the left engine failure was not the primary cause of the accident; both engines were likely operational at impact.