What happened
On July 17, 2021, a Piper PA-28RT-201T departed Stuttgart Airport for a planned instrument flight (IFR) to Magdeburg. The aircraft was occupied by the pilot and two passengers, one of whom was a flight instructor. After an initial aborted takeoff attempt, the pilot successfully departed from runway 25 at approximately 09:40 local time.
During the climb, the aircraft entered cloud cover. While flying under instrument flight rules, the aircraft drifted south of its assigned departure route. After Langen Radar instructed the crew to correct their course, the aircraft entered a tight turn toward the north. Radar data and witness accounts indicate that the aircraft subsequently entered a high-speed descent, likely a steep spiral, into a forested area northwest of Steinenbronn. The impact was high-energy, and the 3 fatalities were confirmed at the scene.
The investigation
The BFU examined radar tracks, radio communications, and the wreckage. Investigators analyzed the engine and propeller, noting that the propeller blades were broken and the engine had been embedded in the ground. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight history, noting a lack of recent instrument flight experience, and examined the cockpit equipment, including the autopilot and GPS systems. Witnesses near the crash site reported hearing a sudden change in engine noise, including a loud bang and a period of full power just before impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control during manual flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
- The pilot lacked sufficient recent practice to maintain controlled manual flight without autopilot assistance while navigating in clouds.
- The pilot demonstrated a lack of familiarity with the aircraft's specific avionics, including the autopilot and GPS 530 functions.
- The presence of a highly experienced passenger (a flight instructor) likely created a false sense of security, leading the pilot to rely on the passenger as a safety pilot despite the passenger's own limited recent IMC experience.
- While the aircraft was equipped with an autopilot, it was likely being flown manually, and the crew's reliance on handheld tablets for navigation may have contributed to the loss of situational awareness.