What happened
On May 19, 2019, a Cirrus SR20 departed Wangerooge airfield on a southbound flight toward Hannover, accompanied by one passenger. The aircraft had previously completed legs from Hannover to Leer-Papenburg and then to Wangerooge earlier that day. During the return leg, the aircraft climbed to approximately 1,400 ft AMSL over the Wadden Sea before descending to roughly 600 ft AMSL while maintaining a southeasterly course. The final radar contact was recorded at 18:26:16 near Nordholz.
A witness in the port of Hooksiel observed the aircraft flying directly into a thunderstorm. The aircraft was reported missing the following morning, triggering an extensive search and rescue operation. While debris, including fragments of the fuselage, wings, and the cockpit roof, was recovered from the water and the shoreline, the main wreckage and the two occupants were never located. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, resulting in two fatalities.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the wreckage recovered. Investigators examined radar data, weather reports from the German Meteorological Service (DWD), and radio communications. Recovered wreckage included parts of the fuselage, doors, and seatback components, but no evidence of an in-flight fire was found. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was found on the shoreline but had not been activated.