What happened
On the day of the accident, several aircraft operated by the same company were scheduled for simultaneous departures from Hohn Military Airport. The flight involving the Learjet 35A was part of a training mission intended to provide instrument approach practice for air traffic control staff and a proficiency check for the pilot in the left-hand seat. The flight plan involved traveling from Hohn to Wunstorf Military Airport.
Prior to departure, the crew completed standard checklists, including engine starts and flight control checks. During taxiing, the crew performed a briefing regarding an emergency procedure involving a simulated engine failure. After another aircraft completed a single-engine takeoff, the crew of the Learjet 35A lined up on runway 26. Following takeoff clearance at approximately 12:47, the aircraft began its takeoff roll with the intention of using 8 degrees of flaps and high engine thrust.
Shortly after liftoff, the pilot monitoring noted the simulated loss of the right engine. As the aircraft climbed, the thrust from the right engine decreased while the left engine remained at takeoff power. During this phase, the crew attempted to manage the aircraft's configuration, but the flight became unstable. Witnesses observed the aircraft perform a sudden snap roll before impacting the ground at the end of the runway, resulting in an explosion. The accident resulted in 2 fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
- The flight was conducting a training maneuver involving a simulated engine failure.