Incident Overview
Description
An MBB HFB-320 Hansa Jet was destroyed when it crashed near Schwabmnchen, Germany following a mid-air collision with a G.91 jet fighter trainer. All five crew members of the Hansa Jet were killed. Both crew members of the G.91 ejected safely. The Hansa Jet, operated by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) was on a tactical mission at an altitude of FL95 with an IFR flight plan. The Fiat/Dornier G.91T-3, serial 34+49, was also operating in the area on a training mission. It had just left Temporary Reserved Airspace (TRA) and descended below FL100 while switching to VFR. The transponder was switched to ‘stand by’ mode. While performing a left hand turn, the G.91 approached the Hansa Jet from behind at closing rate of 145 knots. The G.91 struck the tail of the Hansa Jet. Both aircraft entered an uncontrolled spin and crashed. The G.91 instructor was supposed to have watched for traffic according to the ‘see and avoid’ principle. Causal factors: – The G.91 was flying towards the sun; – The poor contrast of the Hansa Jet silhouette against the background; – Visibility was obstructed by braces of the canopy and maps that were stowed against the canopy; – Limited observation outside because the instructor also had to monitor the students navigation and steering.
Primary Cause
The G.91 jet fighter trainer was flying towards the sun, the Hansa Jet’s silhouette was poorly contrasted against the background, and visibility was obstructed by the canopy and maps.The G.91 jet fighter trainer was flying towards the sun, the Hansa Jet’s silhouette was poorly contrasted against the background, and visibility was obstructed by the canopy and maps.Share on:
