What happened
On August 13, 2001, at approximately 05:49 UTC, a Cessna T 210 M departed from Innsbruck Airport (LOWI) bound for Vilshofen (EDMV). The flight was intended to be conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) after the pilot informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) that they had forgotten their aeronautical charts. ATC provided a route following the Rattenberg (RTT) radio beacon.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 26, the aircraft began a left turn earlier than the approved VFR departure procedure required. Approximately five minutes after departure, ATC attempted to contact the pilot to request an altitude report at 8,000 feet, but the pilot failed to respond to four consecutive radio calls.
During the climb, the aircraft encountered rising terrain and obstacles. The aircraft struck the uppermost ground wire of a high-voltage power line. This impact caused a significant loss of airspeed, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft entered a steep descent and struck the ground near the power lines. A post-impact fire completely destroyed the aircraft. Both occupants of the aircraft were killed in the accident.
The investigation
The investigation reconstructed the flight path using witness statements, official security service findings, and data from the SUB. Investigators examined the aircraft's departure sequence, the pilot's adherence to the ATC-provided VFR instructions, and the physical evidence at the crash site, which indicated a flight path moving from the north-northeast toward the south-southwest.