KLEINENBROICH, Germany — A small aircraft crashed into a terraced home in western Germany on Tuesday, killing two people and igniting a fierce fire that engulfed part of the building, officials said.
The victims include a 71-year-old woman, believed to have been the pilot, and an 84-year-old resident of the home in Kleinenbroich, a town located about 15 miles west of Düsseldorf. Emergency responders rushed to the scene just after midday, but both individuals were pronounced dead at the site.
The light aircraft slammed into the rooftop of the multi-residence house, causing severe structural damage and igniting a blaze that drew 50 firefighters to the scene. Photographs released by emergency services showed smoke pouring from the roof, with piles of debris scattered across the garden and street.
Authorities said the pilot, described as experienced, reported technical issues while flying over Kleinenbroich shortly before the crash. The aircraft was en route to Moenchengladbach Airport, located just 2.5 miles away, when it plummeted into the residential building.
One of the residents of the home, the 84-year-old woman, was killed on impact as the aircraft smashed through the roof. The house was believed to be occupied by three individuals at the time.
In images released by emergency crews, the wreckage of the plane lay scattered across the backyard. The tail section was torn away, with most of the fuselage broken into pieces.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash. Aviation experts and forensic teams remained at the scene Tuesday evening to analyze the wreckage and assess the damage. Federal aviation authorities are assisting local investigators in reconstructing the final moments of the flight.
The tragedy has shaken the quiet town of Kleinenbroich, where aviation incidents are rare. Officials confirmed that no additional injuries were reported, and the fire was contained before spreading to adjacent buildings.
The crash comes just days after another aviation scare in Germany, when an easyJet flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Frankfurt. A panicked passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency door mid-flight, claiming there was a bomb on board. She was quickly subdued, and the aircraft landed safely.
While the two incidents are unrelated, they have intensified public concern over air safety protocols in Germany.
