What happened
On August 11, 2018, a Dyn'Aero MCR 01 Sportster departed from the Melle-Grönegau airfield (EDXG) at approximately 07:10 local time. The pilot, the aircraft owner, was conducting a private VFR flight toward Stralsund with one passenger on board.
Witnesses at the airfield documented a normal takeoff, noting that the aircraft climbed steadily despite a headwind. However, shortly after departure, the aircraft's flight path changed. While one witness reported seeing the aircraft at a low altitude of 30–40 meters over a nearby industrial area with an irregular engine sound and longitudinal instability, a separate audio recording from the same timeframe captured a steady engine rhythm.
Surveillance camera footage and witness accounts confirmed that the aircraft entered a steep descent. The aircraft collided with trees located along a road near the accident site, subsequently striking an embankment. The impact caused the aircraft to catch fire. The two fatalities were the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental conditions. The pilot was a highly experienced former airline captain with over 20,000 total flight hours and a valid medical certificate. The aircraft, which had a total time in service of 981 hours, had been subject to regular maintenance, including a recent 1,000-hour inspection.
Investigators analyzed witness statements, photographic evidence of the takeoff, and surveillance video. The engine was recovered, but because it was heavily damaged by the impact and fire, its performance at the time of the accident could not be assessed. An autopsy of the pilot revealed no acute medical events that would have contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating within its weight and balance limits.
- Weather conditions were favorable for VFR flight, with high visibility and no significant meteorological disturbances.
- The engine was functioning normally during the initial climb, as evidenced by both witness photos and audio recordings.
- The aircraft maintained a stable flight attitude (not in a stall or spin) during its descent into the trees.
- The exact cause of the sudden descent and subsequent collision could not be determined due to the extent of the destruction caused by the impact and fire.