Flight Details
The accident occurred during a private IFR flight from Strausberg Airport (EDAY), Germany, to Bornholm Airport (EKRN), Denmark. An ATS flight plan was filed before departure, indicating a total endurance of 01:30 hours and an estimated elapsed time of 00:30 hours. The pilot later informed the AIB DK that the estimated total endurance before takeoff was approximately 01:00 hours. The aircraft departed EDAY at 10:58, after being refueled with 200 liters of jet fuel.
Fuel Management Issue
En route, the pilot observed a low fuel quantity warning light. The flight was otherwise uneventful until the approach to EKRN.
Final Approach and Stall
At 11:32:00 hours, approximately 18 nautical miles southwest of EKRN, the pilot cancelled the IFR flight plan and continued under VFR for a visual approach to runway 29. While descending inbound, airspeed decreased. At 11:37:08 hours, the pilot reported turning final for runway 29 and was cleared to land. Wind conditions were reported as 280° at 19 knots, gusting to 29 knots. The aircraft was configured for landing with gear down and flaps extended to 40°. On a left base to runway 29, both engines suffered from fuel starvation. At 11:39:18 hours, the pilot declared an emergency three times. The aircraft entered a stall and impacted terrain in a field of sweet corn. A search and rescue mission was immediately initiated.
Investigation Findings
The AIB DK discovered two US FAA Airline Transport Pilot Licenses (ATPL) in the pilot's personal belongings, both with the same FAA license number but different names, inconsistent with the pilot's Iranian identity. The BFU reported that the pilot held neither a valid German pilot license nor a validation of a US license, which was required to operate a German-registered aircraft. The NTSB stated the pilot did not possess a valid US pilot license. The AIB DK could not determine if the pilot held a valid license from another state. The certificate of aircraft registration had been revoked on February 2, 2012, due to a missing airworthiness certificate. The latest valid airworthiness certificate was issued March 8, 2004, and expired March 31, 2005. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was not documented as being maintained by a JAR 145 organization, maintenance program, or Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization.