Mindelheim-Mattsies | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a demonstration flight on this second prototype to a group of invited guests staying on the ground. at Mindelheim-Mattsies Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot completed a circuit to reach the approach pattern when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located approximately 7 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and the French pilot Gérard Guillaumaud who was also the Chief Pilot by Grob Aerospace was killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of an in-flight failure and subsequent separation of the elevator, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable. The exact cause of this failure could not be determined with certainty due to lack of flight data.

Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C90 King Air in Mindelheim: 1 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1994 at 0700 LT

Type of aircraft:

Beechcraft 90 King Air

Operator:

Registration:

D-IHNA

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Mindelheim - Berlin

MSN:

LJ-926

YOM:

1981

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Mindelheim-Mattsies Airport, while in initial climb, the pilot informed ATC about problems and elected to return. While completing a sharp turn to the right at a relative low altitude, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located less than 2 km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed. The aircraft was operated by Burkhart Grob Luft-und-Raumfahrt later renamed Grob Aerospace.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the fuel filler cap on the right fuel tank was missing and fuel was leaking, necessitating an emergency return. While completing a last turn to the right, the aircraft stalled because its speed was insufficient and the distance from the ground was too low to expect recovery.