1 fatality

2011-09-13: Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) (D-IIWA) — AFIT — Hildesheim, Germany

Hildesheim, GermanyTakeoff (climb)

On September 13, 2011, a Piper PA-60 Aerostar (Ted Smith 600) (registration D-IIWA) operated by AFIT was involved in an aviation accident near Hildesheim, Germany during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was due to the fact that the aircraft did not gain altitude after takeoff, went into an uncontrolled flight condition and crashed. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781195290Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff from runway 25 at Hildesheim Airport, a twin-engine aircraft accelerated slowly and lifted off mid-runway. After a low climb gradient, it descended, impacted a wall, and crashed in an industrial area about 900 meters from the runway end. The aircraft was destroyed; the sole pilot was killed.

Incident Overview

During the takeoff roll on runway 25 at Hildesheim Airport, a twin-engine aircraft accelerated more slowly than normal and only became airborne from the middle portion of the runway. After lift-off, the aircraft's climb gradient remained low, failing to achieve a normal ascent.

Loss of Control and Crash

The airplane then began to lose altitude and continued descending until it struck a wall. The crash site was located in an industrial area roughly 900 meters from the departure end of the runway. On impact, the aircraft burst into flames and was completely destroyed. The pilot, who was the sole person on board, was killed.

Official Findings

The investigation determined that the accident occurred because the aircraft did not gain altitude after takeoff, entered an uncontrolled flight condition, and crashed. Furthermore, there was a high probability that a disturbance in the pilot's consciousness and a significantly reduced capacity to act played a role in the sequence of events.

Probable cause

The accident was due to the fact that the aircraft did not gain altitude after takeoff, went into an uncontrolled flight condition and crashed. There was a high probability that a disturbance of the pilot's consciousness and a considerable reduced capacity of action from the pilot contributed to the accident.