What happened
On November 9, 1980, a Morane Saulnier MS 893 E departed from the Herten airfield in Germany for a local visual flight. The pilot, accompanied by four passengers, intended to perform a short-duration recreational flight. During the flight, the aircraft crossed the Rhine toward the Augarten area near Rheinfelden, where it disappeared into a layer of fog.
Witnesses reported hearing the engine noise change to a high-pitched whine before the aircraft emerged from the fog in a severe, uncontrolled attitude, featuring a 60-degree nose-down pitch and a 60-degree right bank. During this maneuver, the D-EKMR struck a 66,000 kV high-voltage power line belonging to the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and struck the ground at high speed. The impact resulted in the five fatalities on board and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Aargau Cantonal Police, examined the aircraft's technical condition, the pilot's credentials, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. Investigators found that the pilot held a valid private pilot license and was qualified to operate the aircraft type. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within legal limits, and no pre-existing mechanical defects were identified in the control linkages or engine components. An autopsy of the pilot confirmed no influence from alcohol, drugs, or underlying medical conditions that could have contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while operating under visual flight rules (VFR).
- The pilot likely lost spatial orientation and control of the aircraft while attempting to navigate through the fog, possibly while initiating a turn.
- Meteorological conditions at the crash site were characterized by fog with a ceiling as low as 100–150 meters and visibility limited to 1 km.
- The pilot may have been misled by clear, sunny weather observed in nearby Bad Säckingen, which did not reflect the hazardous conditions at the accident site.