Two Dead and Two Seriously Injured in Small Aircraft Crash at Weinheim Festival

On Sunday afternoon at around 16:30, a small single-engine propeller aircraft crashed during its landing approach at the Luftsportverein festival in Weinheim, located in the Rhein-Neckar district. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of a 67-year-old presumed pilot and a 76-year-old passenger. Additionally, a 40-year-old woman and her three-year-old child, both on board, sustained severe injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.

The crash occurred near the beginning of the runway and was difficult for festival attendees to detect immediately due to its proximity to the event. The summer festival, held annually since 1972 and well-attended this weekend, was promptly interrupted after the crash to manage the emergency response.

Mayor Michael Möslang (CDU) described the event as a "terrible occurrence" deeply affecting the community and praised the professionalism of the emergency services. Fire Chief Ralf Mittelbach highlighted the rescue teams' efforts, who used specialized equipment to extract people from the wreckage. About 60 people received support from 17 chaplains present at the scene during the crisis.

Emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and rescue teams, faced challenges accessing the crash site, which lies between Weinheim and Viernheim near the border of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. Following the accident, all aircraft flying over Weinheim were ordered to land as a safety precaution.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation and the criminal police are leading the inquiry, with findings expected to take several months to conclude.