Two killed as small plane crashes into residential building in northwestern Germany
A private aircraft carrying two men struck the roof of a house in Ganderkesee, near Oldenburg, killing both occupants. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Two killed as small plane crashes into residential building in northwestern Germany
Two men died Saturday when their small private plane crashed into the roof of a residential building in Ganderkesee, a municipality of approximately 31,900 residents in the Oldenburg district of Lower Saxony, Germany.
The light aircraft struck the pitched roof of a house head-on around 11:00 AM local time in a residential area near Oldenburg. Police initially reported one occupant dead and another missing, but following extensive recovery operations, authorities confirmed both men—aged 65 and 77, both from Bremen—had been killed in the crash.
The aircraft's cockpit was destroyed on impact. Residents within a 100-meter radius of the crash site were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and power was temporarily cut off along the entire length of the street where the house is located to ensure safety during recovery operations.
Following lengthy and complex efforts to remove the wreckage embedded in the roof, residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes. A crisis intervention team was deployed to provide psychological support for witnesses and people in the vicinity of the accident site.
Investigation underway
The Delmenhorst police department stated that authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. The Federal Agency for Aircraft Accident Investigation (Bundesstelle für Flugunfalluntersuchung), based in Braunschweig, is Germany's competent authority for investigating aircraft accidents and will lead the inquiry.
Rising trend in German aviation accidents
The crash adds to a concerning trend in German aviation safety. According to the Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, Germany recorded 129 aircraft accidents in 2024, an increase of 18 incidents compared to 2023, though fatalities decreased from 16 to 12 deaths. Most aircraft accidents in Germany involve light aircraft weighing up to two tons, with gliders ranking close behind in accident frequency.
Eurostat air safety statistics show Germany had 113 aircraft accidents in 2024, making it the second-highest in the European Union after France, which recorded 124 accidents.
