What happened
On July 20, 2019, a Jodel DR 1050 crashed into a building at the Bruchsal aerodrome, resulting in 3 fatalities. The aircraft, which was flying with two passengers, had departed from Attendorn-Finnentrop with the intention of flying to Dachau and eventually France. During the flight, the aircraft's course changed significantly, and it arrived at Bruchsal without prior landing permission (PPR).
The air traffic controller at Bruchsal observed the aircraft approaching from the northeast, noting that it was flying below the published pattern altitude of 1,000 ft AMSL and was not following a standard traffic pattern. After two aborted landing attempts, the pilot attempted a go-around. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered an accelerated stall, banked sharply to the left, and struck the rear wall of a hardware store. The impact destroyed the aircraft and caused fatal injuries to all three occupants.
The investigation
The BFU investigation reconstructed the flight path using time-stamped photographs taken by a passenger during the flight. Because the aircraft was not transmitting a transponder signal, radar data was unavailable. The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, finding that the electrical system was non-functional, with the artificial horizon and directional gyro displaying warning flags. This suggested a total loss of electrical power, possibly due to a generator failure.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting significant flight experience, though the specific number of recent take-offs and landings required for carrying passengers could not be verified. The aircraft's weight at the time of the accident was approximately 755–760 kg, which was within the permissible limits.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unstabilized and short final approach.
- The aircraft was flying below the required speed during the approach and the subsequent go-around.
- The pilot increased engine power too late during the go-around maneuver.
- Contributing factors included the failure to follow the published traffic pattern and the high stress levels likely caused by the aircraft's electrical failure and the sudden need to land at an unfamiliar airfield.