What happened
On May 29, 2009, at 18:35 UTC, a Diamond DA42 aircraft collided with terrain near the Schwarzkogel in the municipality of Hohentauern, Austria. The flight was a visual flight rules (VFR) operation originating from Graz Airport with the intention of landing at Niederöblarn airfield.
The pilot was accompanied by two passengers, including the pilot's wife and child. The flight was part of a multi-leg journey; the pilot had previously completed a flight from Graz to Banja Luka and back earlier that day. The planned route involved landing at Niederöblarn to drop off the child before continuing to Salzburg.
During the flight, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions. The impact with the terrain occurred at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet. The collision resulted in three fatalities, as the pilot and both passengers perished in the accident. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) reconstructed the flight sequence using engine control unit (ECU) data and satellite navigation records. The investigation also incorporated findings from the Styrian State Criminal Police Office.
Investigators examined the meteorological conditions, reviewing METAR and GAMET reports, as well as the pilot's weather briefings. The investigation also focused on the technical state of the aircraft, including maintenance records, loading, and center of gravity. Furthermore, the physical wreckage was analyzed, specifically looking at the cockpit canopy and locking mechanisms.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) during encounter with adverse weather conditions.
- The aircraft was operating under VFR, but the weather in the area of the accident had deteriorated, characterized by low visibility and cloud cover.
- The investigation identified a potential safety concern regarding the cockpit canopy locking mechanism. Specifically, there was evidence of a Bowden cable and locking bolts that could potentially dislodge from their carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) components and intrude into the cockpit area during an accident.
- The pilot had planned the flight based on earlier weather forecasts, but the actual conditions at the time of the accident were significantly worse than the intended VFR environment.