Suddenly the radio connection was lost. A Cessna 551 flew over Europe, triggering missions by Bundeswehr Eurofighters and fighter jets from other European countries. In the end, the private plane crashed into the Baltic Sea.
On board were the German entrepreneur Peter G.* (72), his wife Juliane G.* (69), their daughter Lisa G.* (26) and her partner (27). The background to the tragedy was previously unclear. An interim report from the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) is now available. Result: There was a problem with the cabin pressure.
The machine was on its way from Jerez de la Frontera in southern Spain to Cologne (D). After 45 minutes, Peter G. reported to the air traffic controllers in Madrid. He has problems with the air conditioning and so asks permission to descend immediately.
“If the pressure drops, you have to lower the flight altitude”
But the pilot did not understand. Where does he want to go? The German reiterated: “Problems with the air conditioning, er, pressure increase, we ask for a rapid descent,” says the BFU report, as reported by the “Aerotelegraph”. In addition to the problems with the air conditioning, Peter G. also indicates that there is something wrong with the cabin pressure. That’s why he asks for a quick descent. He used rapido, the Spanish word for fast, to convey the urgency to the pilots in Madrid. “When the pressure drops, you have to reduce the flight altitude, get into denser air layers and land as quickly as possible,” said aviation expert Sepp Moser, 76, shortly after the crash.
The BFU report states that “clear background noise” was heard during this radio message. Apparently the family knew how serious the situation is. Soon after, the connection dropped. Even before the air traffic controllers could give permission for the rapid descent.
When gases and air expand in the plane, this can have unpleasant consequences for passengers and crew: for example, pain in the middle ear, pressure in the paranasal sinuses – even blood clots can form. Although these symptoms are unpleasant for the body, they are bearable.
He didn’t need permission
Above all, lack of oxygen is dangerous. “The oxygen level at the usual cruising altitude of 11,000 meters is only a quarter of what we are used to on the ground,” says Hanspeter Mettler (70), president of the Association of Swiss Aviation Journalists. “It is very dramatic, because after 30 seconds you are no longer able to act.”
During this time, the pilot must urgently put on his oxygen mask and begin the descent. “Otherwise it’s over!” warns the expert. Apparently, Peter G. made mistakes, the BFU report suggests.
The German should have made a distress call. Moreover, in such a dangerous situation he should not have asked permission to start a descent. If something is wrong, an alarm will sound in the cockpit. This should give the pilot enough time to fly lower and make an emergency landing. If the plane sinks, the people on board will get enough oxygen again. Instead, the family apparently fell unconscious before the Cessna finally crashed into the Baltic Sea. (jmh)
* Names known