Two dead as a Learjet 35A, usually used for target towing missions on behalf of the German Air Force, crashed during takeoff from runway 26 at Hohn Air Base, Germany.
According to a statement by Airbus Defence, as GFD is a subsidiary of the Group, the Learjet with registration D-CGF collided with the ground during takeoff, within the air base’s perimeter, killing the two onboard pilots.
According to a spokesman for the Neumünster police department, the aircraft lost altitude during the start phase and hit the side of the runway, and crashed.
The airport fire brigade was on site quickly, but could no longer help the occupants, he said.
Both fatalities are therefore male. The spokesman could not provide any further information about age or origin.
Airbus and GFD are fully cooperating with authorities to determine the crash’s cause. The investigation is being led by the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchungen) in Braunschweig. The aircraft was leaving Hohn for a training mission with the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) air traffic controllers in northern Germany.
Air transport squadron 63 of the Luftwaffe was stationed in Hohn near Rendsburg for a long time.
According to information on its website, the GFD has Learjets of the types LR-35A and LR-36A. The aircraft can be used for flight target display with and without towed targets.
Flight target representations are required so that Bundeswehr units can practice sea or land-based air defense with guided missiles and barrel weapons.
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