In Tiroler Höfe (Reutte district) there is shock and bewilderment after the fatal crash of a glider pilot on Friday. It is now clear that the pilot involved in the accident is a 58-year-old German. The airport is officially closed until further notice. The Air Accident Commission is investigating.
How did the fatal accident happen on Friday afternoon? This question is not only asked by the shocked members of the Reutte-Höfen aviation club, but also by the police and the authorities.
Vlieger struck next to the campsite
The glider pilot took off from the airfield at around 2.30 pm with a winch launch towards Reutte. According to witnesses, when he was about 50 meters high, there was a sudden stall.
“The glider then tilted to the left and hit the airfield meadow,” the police detectives said. Right next to a campsite!
The emergency services of the fire brigade, ambulance and police were quickly on the scene, but all help came too late for the pilot. Police confirmed Saturday morning that the victim is a 58-year-old German.
Air Accident Commission started working
It is still completely unclear whether the cause of the crash was pilot error or a technical defect, as Klaus Hohenauer of the Tyrolean aviation authority explained to the “Krone” on Saturday: “The cause is not yet known. The flight accident commission, which came from Vienna, started her work in the morning.
Airport remains “closed until further notice”
It will probably be weeks before the committee comes up with a report, Hohenauer knows from experience. In any case, the airport in Höfen will remain closed until further notice. On Monday there will be a meeting with the experts, the district council and the airport’s operators’ association.
Among other things, it had to be checked whether all safety requirements had been met. Other measures should also be evaluated.
Not the first dramatic incident in courtyards
It is not the first time that Höfen Airport has been the scene of a dramatic incident. At the end of July last year, a small plane crashed on the roof of a residential building not far from the crash site. This was followed by a discussion about additional security measures at the airport.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
