Fatal Accident (1) – Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger, LX-ARA, near Zell Am See Airport (LOWZ), Zell am See, Salzburg, Austria, March 4, 2025
ASX Investigation | ||||
On March 4, 2025, at approximately 1:30 PM local time, a Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger, registered LX-ARA, crashed near Zell am See Airport (LOWZ) in Salzburg, Austria. The aircraft was privately operated by Takeoff-LU SC and had departed earlier that day from Banja Luka Airport (BNX/LQBK), Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sole occupant, the pilot, did not survive the accident, and the aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, and medical personnel, responded to the scene, but no resuscitative efforts were possible. The aircraft was on approach to runway 08 at Zell am See Airport when it impacted a field approximately 650 feet short of the runway threshold. Initial reports confirm that no fire erupted post-impact, and the wreckage was found intact but severely damaged. Eyewitnesses and first responders at the scene described the aircraft as being in an unstable flight condition just before impact, but further analysis is required to determine the precise sequence of events leading to the crash. The Gulfstream American AA-5B Tiger is a lightweight, four-seat general aviation aircraft produced between 1974 and 1979. It features a Lycoming O-360-A4K engine capable of 180 horsepower, with a maximum cruise speed of approximately 160 miles per hour. The aircraft has a fixed tricycle landing gear and a free-castering nose wheel, requiring differential braking for ground maneuvering. Its airframe is constructed using bonded aluminum panels, which contribute to a lower empty weight while maintaining structural integrity. The AA-5B is known for its relatively high performance for its class but requires careful energy management during landing approaches. The weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be favorable, with clear visibility and no significant turbulence or wind gusts. According to local authorities and airport officials, there were no apparent meteorological factors that would have contributed to the accident. The runway at Zell am See Airport is a 2,180-foot-long paved airstrip, which presents operational challenges for some aircraft types, particularly those with higher approach speeds and limited stopping distance margins. Investigators from Austria’s Federal Safety Investigation Authority and the Flight Accident Commission from Vienna have begun an inquiry into the cause of the crash. The wreckage has been secured for examination, and preliminary assessments will include flight path analysis, air traffic control communications, and potential mechanical failures. The pilot’s experience level, recent flight history, and medical condition will also be reviewed to determine if any human factors played a role in the event. Eyewitnesses, including a taxi driver who was among the first on the scene, reported seeing the aircraft descending rapidly at an abnormal angle before impacting the ground. A woman near the airfield reportedly called emergency services immediately upon witnessing the event. Initial assessments suggest that the pilot may have been dealing with an aircraft control issue or a misjudged approach profile, but no definitive conclusions can be drawn without further investigation. The final report from aviation authorities will determine the root cause of the accident. Current avenues of investigation include aerodynamic stall due to excessive descent rate, a possible mechanical issue affecting aircraft controllability, or pilot spatial disorientation during approach. Until these factors are fully assessed, the precise cause remains undetermined. | ||||
Accident Information | ||||
Approx. Accident Location | Aircraft Fatalities 1 | Ground Fatalities 0 | Injured 0 |  |
Aircraft Information | ||||
Aircraft Type | Operator | Registration LX-ARA | Serial Number AA5B-1203 | Manufacture date Between 1975-1979 |
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Accident Weather |  | Additional | Official Preliminary Report | Official Final Report |