What happened
On June 6, 2009, at approximately 08:36 UTC, a Diamond DA 42M departed from Wiener Neustadt Ost (LOAN) for a flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). The aircraft, carrying two occupants, initially flew south along the A2 motorway toward Graz, passing the Seebenstein-Neunkirchen junction before turning toward Neunkirchen and climbing to approximately 8,300 ft MSL.
Upon reaching the area near Lindgrub, the pilot began performing various flight maneuvers, including steep turns. Radar records indicate a left-hand steep turn with a bank angle exceeding 60°, which resulted in a loss of approximately 400 feet of altitude. Following a brief straight flight segment, the pilot initiated a right-hand steep turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft's altitude dropped to approximately 6,800 ft MSL. The aircraft then experienced an extreme bank angle and a significant loss of altitude, leading to a stall and subsequent spin.
The pilot was unable to recover the aircraft from the spin, and the Diamond DA 42M crashed into a forested area. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) reconstructed the flight path using radar data from the military "Goldhaube" system and civilian air traffic surveillance, as well as Engine Control Unit (ECU) records. The investigation also incorporated evidence from the Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office and witness testimonies. The investigators examined the aircraft's flight manual, specifically regarding stall speeds, permitted maneuvers, and spin recovery procedures, to determine the sequence of events leading to the loss of control.