- Aviation accident involving a modest aircraft - two travelers experience minor injuries
On a Saturday, two individuals endured minor injuries following a mishap involving a compact aircraft close to Rüdesheim am Rhein. According to district fire chief Michael Ehresmann, it's astounding that the passengers didn't sustain more severe wounds. The incident occurred when the plane smashed into the forest, as stated, not long after carrying out a maneuver near the glider airport.
The aircraft collided with numerous trees and was left in a dismal state, with fragments of the wings detaching, according to the fire department's report. Luckily, the men, aged between 40 and 60, managed to escape the aircraft before the emergency services arrived. The fire department managed to plug the fuel leakage, and fortunately, no flames broke out.
Insufficient altitude achieved
The men had set off from Mainz-Finthen for a practice session, the fire department detailed. They executed a maneuver at Rüdesheim airport, flying dangerously low over the landing area. Due to the steep slope of the site, the pilot struggled to attain the necessary altitude, resulting in the aircraft crashing into the forest roughly 200 meters from the airport.
Thankfully, the cabin retained its structure, enabling the men to evacuate the aircraft and make a distress call. No blaze ignited, despite the fuel leakage. Both men are believed to be experienced pilots, and there's no hint of technical complications. Approximately 80 individuals participated in the operation.
Fire department: "We've got this covered"
Investigations and the retrieval of the aircraft will be handled by the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, in collaboration with the plane's owner, alongside the Rüdesheim fire department, as reported by the German Press Agency on Sunday. The fire department's routine training in handling potential air incidents played a significant role in the operation's smooth execution, as pointed out by the German Press Agency spokesperson. "We prepare for this, and we train for it."
The incident involving the aircraft occurred near Rüdesheim am Rhein, a location renowned for its proximity to the Rhine River. Despite the initial mishap, the men managed to evacuate the aircraft before it reached the Rhine.
