Incident Overview
On a local training mission, a crew departed Cologne-Bonn Airport at 1248 local time. The flight involved simulating stalls at a relatively low altitude. During this exercise, the crew experienced technical problems with both engines, leading to engine overheating.
Sequence of Events
As the situation developed, the left engine caught fire. In response, the crew decided to attempt an emergency landing in an open field. During the descent, the left engine separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently lost height and crashed near Bergisch Gladbach, approximately 13 kilometers north of Cologne Airport. Upon impact, the aircraft burst into flames. Both pilots sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The accident occurred during a training sortie intended to practice stall recovery procedures. The technical problems that led to the engine fire and separation were encountered at low altitude, limiting the crew's options for recovery. The emergency landing attempt was made in an open field, but the loss of the engine prevented a controlled touchdown.