Fatal Accident (1) – Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V, N666NN, SW of Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, February 3, 2025
| Aviation Safety X Report |
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On February 3, 2025, at approximately 16:30 local time, a Piper PA-34-220T Seneca V registered as N666NN crashed in a forested area near Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The sole occupant, a 77-year-old German pilot, perished in the accident, and the aircraft was completely destroyed. This privately owned aircraft, built in 2001 and registered in the United States, was en route from Bolzano Airport in Italy to Donaueschingen-Villingen Airport in Germany when the incident occurred during the approach phase of the flight. The crash site was located about seven nautical miles from the intended destination, near the highest terrain in the area, approximately 3,000 feet above sea level. Preliminary investigations indicate that weather conditions, including dense fog, were present in the vicinity at the time of the crash, potentially contributing to the accident. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact with trees, leaving debris scattered over a radius of about 200 meters. There was no evidence of fire at the crash site, and no significant ground contamination by fuel was reported. This incident follows a previous event involving the same aircraft in 2017, during which a mishandling of controls led to a hard landing in Norway. Investigators are exploring whether systemic issues or operational decisions played a role in this accident. The pilot, whose identity has been partially linked to earlier incidents, had previously encountered operational challenges, such as a communication equipment failure during a flight to Zurich and a propeller strike during a touch-and-go exercise. In both cases, human factors, including possible cognitive overload, were identified as contributing factors. This history raises questions about the pilot’s operational decision-making and the adequacy of the aircraft’s maintenance, particularly given its registration under a U.S. trust that may have allowed less stringent oversight. Authorities from Germany’s Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) and local police conducted extensive on-site examinations. Recovery efforts involved the removal of the aircraft wreckage and scattered debris over several hours. Investigators emphasized that the cause of the accident remains undetermined, and a detailed interim report is expected in the coming months. The investigation will likely focus on a combination of environmental factors, pilot decisions, and technical integrity to establish a comprehensive understanding of the event. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about the risks associated with winter aviation in central Europe, particularly in conditions of persistent fog and low visibility. While no immediate conclusion can be drawn, the accident serves as a somber reminder of the complexities and hazards faced by general aviation pilots operating in challenging conditions. Further investigation will be necessary to identify lessons that could enhance safety in the future. |
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Accident Location: SW of Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany 47°54’20.71″N 8°37’44.04″E |
FAA Registration 🇺🇸
N666NN
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Year of Manufacture
2001
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Serial Number
3449226
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Report: 2017 Accident N666NN |
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