Cessna 177B Crash at Burg Feuerstein

Incident Overview and Flight Details On March 16, 2021, a Cessna 177B aircraft crashed near Burg Feuerstein, Germany, resulting in the death of the pilot. The aircraft, a four-seat, single-engine high-wing monoplane, was destroyed in the impact. The incident occurred during a private visual flight rules (VFR) flight. The pilot, a 64-year-old private pilot, took off from the Burg Feuerstein airfield at approximately 16:30 local time. The flight initially proceeded without incident, with the aircraft flying a circuit before heading northwest. GPS data from a Traffic-Sensor TRX-1500A recorded the flight path, showing the aircraft passing over Hirschaid and Bamberg before turning west of Würzburg and following the A3 highway. The pilot communicated with air traffic control at 17:25, receiving information about a strong shower approaching from the northwest. The pilot indicated an intention to find a gap in the weather. Subsequent communications revealed worsening conditions, with the air traffic controller describing a heavy snow shower and poor visibility. The pilot considered diverting to Herzogenaurach or Nuremberg but ultimately decided to attempt a landing at Burg Feuerstein. The aircraft entered a left circuit at approximately 130 meters above the airfield. After four full circles, the pilot announced an intention to land on runway 26. At 17:42, the aircraft turned south at approximately 100 meters above the runway threshold, executed a steep left turn, and completed three right circles. The last GPS signal was recorded at 17:44 near the crash site. A witness reported that the aircraft flew close to the Burg Feuerstein tower, looped, and then climbed steeply near a kindergarten. The witness stated that the engine or propeller sound ceased, the aircraft spun in the air, and then fell steeply to the ground. An emergency call was made at 17:45.