World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Historic plane broke apart in midair before deadly crash near Mannheim
A historic T-28A Trojan broke apart in midair before crashing in Limburgerhof, near Mannheim, on 16 May.
Both pilots died when the wreckage fell across a residential area.
The 1949-built aircraft was being flown from Aachen to Oberpfaffenhofen after it had been restored and acquired by one of the pilots.
Investigators recorded difficult weather and a defective cockpit instrument, but have not said either caused the breakup.
The crash damaged about 25 homes, and one resident was slightly injured.
An explosive sound was heard, but investigators say there was no explosion on board; the sound apparently came from the aircraft breaking apart.
The BFU is still examining the wreckage, and the cause remains unknown.
A historic T-28A Trojan broke apart in midair before crashing in Limburgerhof on May 16, killing both pilots.
The aircraft was on a transfer flight from Aachen-Merzbrück to Oberpfaffenhofen.
A preliminary report describes the flight, poor weather and a defective cockpit artificial horizon but does not establish why the aircraft broke apart.
The wreckage fell across an area about 400 by 200 metres, damaging buildings; SWR and SZ.de report that 25 houses were damaged.
Investigators say witnesses heard an explosive-like noise, but the aircraft did not explode in midair.
- Who
- Two pilots, aged 66 and 60, died. An occupant of a nearby home was slightly injured.
- What
- A historic T-28A Trojan broke apart in midair and crashed. The cause remains undetermined.
- When
- May 16; the aircraft took off at 10:41 and radar recorded a turn at 11:26.
- Where
- Near Limburgerhof in the Rhein-Pfalz district, during a flight from Aachen-Merzbrück to Oberpfaffenhofen.
- Why
- Not stated. The preliminary report describes difficult weather and a defective artificial horizon but gives no final cause.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The T-28A Trojan took off from Aachen-Merzbrück on a transfer flight to Oberpfaffenhofen.
Radar recorded a right turn as the aircraft’s altitude fell and its speed increased.
Witnesses heard an explosive-like noise as the aircraft broke apart and wreckage fell near Limburgerhof.
The BFU’s preliminary report was reported by SZ.de, SWR and WELT; it did not give a final cause.
- Aircraft
- North American T-28A Trojan, built in 1949
- Flight route
- Aachen-Merzbrück to Oberpfaffenhofen
- Crash date
- May 16
- Fatalities
- Two pilots, aged 66 and 60
- Wreckage area
- About 400 by 200 metres near Limburgerhof
- Cockpit instrument
- The artificial horizon was reported defective
3 sources
What people are saying
the investigations are intended to prevent future accidents and incidents – and not to determine fault, liability or claims