Overview
On 2 April 2013, at approximately 11:09 UTC, a Piper PA38-112 aircraft crashed at Wels Airfield (LOLW) in Wels, Upper Austria, during a training flight. The aircraft was engaged in a simulated engine failure exercise following a touch-and-go landing.
Flight History
The training flight departed from Linz Airport (LOWL) at 10:46 UTC under visual flight rules. The route proceeded south of Linz toward Wels, where the pilot and instructor planned to perform several approaches and emergency procedure drills. After a left-hand traffic pattern, the first touch-and-go was conducted on runway 09. The instructor then informed the student that after the next touch-and-go, they would practice a simulated engine failure after takeoff.
Accident Sequence
Following the second touch-and-go, the student began the climb. The instructor simulated an engine failure, prompting the student to initiate a turning maneuver to return to the runway. During this turn, the aircraft lost altitude, struck the ground, and crashed. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft in a steep bank before impact.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a single-engine Piper PA38-112 Tomahawk, registered in Austria, and privately owned. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. No further details about the individuals or their qualifications were provided in the investigation.
Investigation Findings
Investigators reconstructed the event using witness statements, pilot accounts, and physical evidence. The loss of control was attributed to the maneuver executed during the simulated engine failure. No mechanical malfunctions were identified. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was explicitly stated in the available source material.