3 fatalities

2000-08-09: Cessna 340 (N4424X) — Aircraft Guaranty Title & Trust — Griesheim-August-Euler, Germany

Griesheim-August-Euler, GermanyLanding (descent or approach)

On August 9, 2000, a Cessna 340 (registration N4424X) operated by Aircraft Guaranty Title & Trust was involved in an aviation accident near Griesheim-August-Euler, Germany during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the left engine because the fuel selector valve was in OFF position. For unknown reasons, the pilot failed to feather the left propeller and on short final, the aircraft's speed was below minimum, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781203325Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed short of runway 25 at Griesheim-August-Euler Airport after stalling on final approach. The left engine failed due to the fuel selector being off, and the pilot did not feather the propeller. All three occupants were killed.

Accident Details

The twin-engine aircraft departed Zweibrücken Airport on a VFR flight to Egelsbach, carrying two passengers and one pilot. The flight was uneventful at an altitude of 5,000 feet. While approaching the destination, the pilot informed air traffic control about technical problems and decided to divert to Griesheim-August-Euler Airport.

On short final, while completing a left turn, the aircraft stalled and crashed 160 meters short of runway 25 threshold. The aircraft burst into flames and was destroyed. All three occupants were killed.

Investigation and Probable Cause

Investigation revealed that the left engine failed because the fuel selector valve was in the OFF position. For unknown reasons, the pilot failed to feather the left propeller. On short final, the aircraft's speed was below the minimum, causing the aircraft to stall and crash. No technical anomalies were found on the aircraft.