After the crash of an Austria-registered Cessna plane, there is little hope for the four occupants, including a German family. A search by the Swedish Coast Guard has so far been unsuccessful. Off the Latvian coast, only debris and an oil slick could be seen. The private jet crashed into the sea around 7:45 p.m. on Sunday evening after radio contact was broken.
The Cessna 551 Citation II with the Austrian registration number OE-FGR was registered in the name of a German company. Shortly after take-off from Jerez (Spain), cabin pressure problems were reported and radio contact was lost in French airspace. French fighter jets then took off to check the situation, but were unable to make contact with the pilot.
As the “Bild” reported, two Eurofighter jets then took off from Rostock Air Force Base to join the ghost Cessna and find out what was going on. But they too did not understand it and turned off again shortly after Rügen.
Reported Cabin Pressure Issues
Several German media reported, citing military circles, that the pilots could not see anyone in the cockpit either. It is now speculated whether the Cessna’s pilot also passed out due to the loss of pressure. At about 7:45 p.m., the machine disappeared from the radar for the northwest of the Latvian town of Ventspils. The pilot of a Danish F-16 fighter jet is said to have observed the crash. In total, the machine had been airborne for nearly five hours since takeoff. According to the online portal “Austrian Wings”, it can therefore be assumed that it eventually crashed due to a lack of fuel.
The Swedish and Latvian coast guards launched a rescue mission, ships and helicopters were sent to the crash site. However, the hope of finding survivors is slim. As the Swedish newspaper “Aftonbaldet” reports, oil spills and debris were found. The Cessna was built in 1979 and is therefore 43 years old. It was approved for single-pilot use.
Industrial family would have been on board
According to the German “Express”, the family would have been the Cologne industrialist Peter G. (72), his wife Juliane G. (68) and their daughter Lisa (26). The fourth person, a 27-year-old man, is said to have been Lisa G.’s partner. Peter G. is said to have piloted the plane himself, including a company that specializes in charter flights with private jets. The 72-year-old was a passionate pilot and often flew himself.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
