Weinheim plane crash kills pilot and passenger during summer festival

A propeller aircraft crashed near the Weinheim airfield in the Rhein-Neckar district during a summer festival hosted by the Weinheim Air Sports Club. The accident resulted in the deaths of the 67-year-old pilot and a 76-year-old passenger. A 40-year-old woman and her child survived the crash but sustained serious injuries.

The Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash alongside criminal police. The Darmstadt Public Prosecutor's Office has requested an autopsy of the pilot to determine if a medical emergency occurred prior to the accident. Authorities are also seeking video footage from witnesses to reconstruct the event.

Following the tragedy, the air sports club temporarily deactivated its website. However, a club spokesperson indicated that they do not rule out holding the summer festival again in 2027, expressing a desire to continue presenting the club to the public.