Piper Seneca III breaks up in severe turbulence near Reinsfeld

Casualties unknown • Reinsfeld, DE

A Piper PA-34-220T disintegrated in mid-air after encountering a heavy thunderstorm cell during an IFR flight in Germany.

What happened

On June 17, 2020, a Piper PA-34-220T (Seneca III) was conducting an instrument flight (IFR) from Marl-Loemühle, Germany, to Colmar, France. The pilot was flying at 9,200 ft AMSL, following a course toward the GTQ VOR in France. At approximately 13:13 local time, the pilot reported encountering "some turbulence" to air traffic control. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft's course changed abruptly, and all communication was lost.

The aircraft struck the ground near Reinsfeld, Germany, in several pieces. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion and seeing the aircraft breaking apart in the sky. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft, along with damage to property on the ground.

The investigation

The BFU investigation focused on the structural failure of the aircraft and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the wreckage, finding that the left outer wing had detached, followed by the separation of the right wing at the root. The investigation also analyzed the aircraft's autopilot settings, which indicated the use of altitude and heading hold modes, and the weather radar, which was set to the WX mode.

Detailed metallurgical analysis of the wing spar by the Institute for Joining and Welding (ifs) revealed that the wing structure had been subjected to extreme, alternating vertical loads. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data from the German Weather Service (DWD), which confirmed the presence of a heavy convective cell moving through the area.

Findings

  • The aircraft encountered a convective thunderstorm cell characterized by heavy rain and severe turbulence.
  • The aircraft was flying at a speed exceeding the maximum maneuvering speed (VA) of 135 KIAS when it entered the turbulence.
  • The sudden and intense turbulence caused the aircraft structure to be overloaded, leading to the separation of the left wing and subsequent disintegration of the airframe.
  • The pilot was flying under IFR conditions within clouds, which prevented visual identification of the approaching thunderstorm cell.
  • The pilot had limited experience with this specific aircraft type and minimal experience flying in such severe weather conditions.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered a thunderstorm cell containing severe turbulence while flying at a speed above the maximum maneuvering speed, leading to structural overload and in-flight breakup.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-06-17 Piper PA-34-220T (Seneca III) accident near Reinsfeld, DE?

A Piper PA-34-220T disintegrated in mid-air after encountering a heavy thunderstorm cell during an IFR flight in Germany.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-06-17 involved a Piper PA-34-220T (Seneca III), at Reinsfeld, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft entered a thunderstorm cell containing severe turbulence while flying at a speed above the maximum maneuvering speed, leading to structural overload and in-flight breakup.

Loading the flight search…