N8930N Aviation Accident 2025-04-11
Accident Summary
Fatal Accident (3) - ReProp LLC 310 Series' Cessna 310R, N8930N, Boca Raton, FL, April 11, 2025
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Accident Information
| Approx. Avalanche Location | Aircraft Fatalities | Ground Fatalities | Injured | ASN Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26°22'3.42"N, 80° 7'14.93"W | 3 | 0 | 0 | Aviation Safety Network |
Aircraft Information
| Type | Operator | Registration | Serial Number | Manufacture Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 310R | ReProp LLC 310 Series | N8930N | 310R0986 | 1977 |
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ASX Accident Report
On the morning of Sunday, April 13, 2025, a Piper PA-60-601P Aerostar registered as D-ICEL departed from Salzgitter-Drütte Airfield (EDVS) in Lower Saxony, Germany. The aircraft was privately owned and operated, and its planned destination was Hildesheim Airfield (EDVM), located approximately 35 kilometers southeast. On board were two occupants: a 55-year-old pilot and a 56-year-old co-pilot, both residents of Salzgitter. The aircraft took off around 09:40 local time under clear weather conditions, with the METAR reports indicating calm wind and CAVOK visibility.
Shortly after takeoff, eyewitnesses observed the aircraft pitching sharply upward before descending uncontrollably. Within approximately one kilometer of flight distance from the departure point, the Aerostar impacted the grounds of the Salzgitter AG steel production complex, specifically crashing into a narrow six-meter-wide corridor between two large industrial halls. The crash resulted in a post-impact fire, with the aircraft completely consumed in flames. Emergency services responded rapidly with over 90 personnel including the plant's internal fire brigade, city fire units, medical responders, and trauma support staff.
The aircraft was destroyed on impact, and both occupants were fatally injured. According to multiple reports, the airframe fragmented on impact, and only a charred steel frame remained once the fire was extinguished. There were no injuries to people on the ground and only minor damage to the buildings. The ongoing operations of Salzgitter AG were not interrupted by the crash. Aerial photos and video taken by news outlets confirmed scattered debris and burn marks along a confined area on the factory premises.
Initial investigative efforts were led by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), which secured the wreckage for forensic examination. The aircraft’s engines may be transported to Braunschweig for further analysis. No definitive cause has yet been identified, but reports suggest possible engine failure or mechanical anomaly shortly after takeoff. Witnesses mentioned seeing the aircraft enter a yawing or unstable attitude prior to its descent. The BFU indicated that a full investigation could take up to a year, with a preliminary report expected within several weeks.
The Piper PA-60-601P Aerostar is a twin-engine, high-performance light aircraft known for its speed and pressurization capabilities. The specific airframe involved, serial number 61P-0577-79632, had previously operated under registrations N8091J and C-FDNJ before becoming D-ICEL. Records indicate the pilot was considered experienced and active within a local flying club. However, due to the lack of immediate data from onboard recording devices and the total destruction of the aircraft, determining the chain of events leading to the accident will rely heavily on mechanical analysis, witness accounts, and reconstructed flight data.
Tracking and Social Media
- Flight Tracking: Flightradar24, FlightAware, ADS-B Exchange
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter)
