Harald “Harry” Becker (83) had a fatal accident during a routine flight from Krems-Gneixendorf to Dobersberg (Lower Austria). Although the background to the drama is still unclear, the sadness in his hometown of Weitra is enormous.
He was considered one of the most experienced pilots of the Waldviertel Union Aviation Group and traveled throughout Europe with his aircraft. Now Harald “Harry” Becker is dead. The extremely popular retiree died because of his great passion.
It was at 3.30pm on Sunday when Austro Control alerted emergency services. The crash sensor of a small aircraft was activated in the area of Pfarrstuhl near Groß-Siegharts in the Waidhofen an der Thaya district. It was Becker’s single-engine Flight Design CT.
An eyewitness who had noticed the accident from a distance also called 112. After drones initially failed to locate the accident site, 250 comrades from 22 fire brigades formed a human chain and combed the impassable terrain in fog and darkness, most of which is impassable for vehicles.
Drones found plane wreckage
An aerial heat source was discovered shortly before 7 p.m. The Florianis found the completely destroyed machine on site. The emergency doctor could do nothing for the 83-year-old; he probably died immediately.
The other emergency services were not allowed to proceed to the scene of the accident for the time being. The small plane was equipped with a parachute rescue system, which was intended to prevent it from crashing into the ground without brakes. But because it was unclear whether this auxiliary instrument, which was equipped with a propellant charge, had activated, experts from the mine clearance service had to get to work first.
“Any small vibration could have caused the plane to explode,” said Klaus Stebal, spokesman for the state fire brigade association. Only then could the body be recovered.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing
The remains of the plane itself remain at the accident site for the time being and the debris is guarded by police. It is not yet clear what led to the tragic crash. The State Criminal Investigation Department took over the investigation and an autopsy on the body was ordered. According to Austro Control, it was a “visual flight under the pilot’s own responsibility, without radio contact with air traffic control.”
The shock in the community runs deep
Becker leaves a big hole in his hometown of Weitra in the Gmünd district. He ran a supermarket there with his family on Rathausplatz for decades and was a popular and welcome personality. There is great consternation locally.
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.
