A small German-registered plane crashed on Sunday morning in the town of Vadul lui Voda, approximately 23 kilometers (14 miles) east of Moldova’s capital, Chisinau, resulting in the death of the lone pilot on board, according to aviation authorities.
The Civil Aviation Authority reported that the fatal accident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) and involved a Socata TB20 ultra-light aircraft. No passengers were on board the ill-fated plane.
Photos of the crash site shared online depict the charred and mangled wreckage of a small red and white plane, which appears to have landed on the roof of a detached property.
“After impact with the ground, the aircraft was engulfed in flames. Emergency teams quickly arrived at the scene and managed to put out the fire,” aviation authorities stated. “Unfortunately, a charred body was identified inside the wreckage.”
Although the pilot has not been officially identified, local media reports suggest that the deceased was a prominent German businessman who previously headed a joint German-Moldovan company.
The Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the “tragic accident” and has pledged to release additional details as the probe progresses.
In a statement, the authority expressed condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased pilot, saying, “We are with them at this extremely difficult time and express our deepest regret for their loss.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many expressing their sympathies for the pilot’s family and calling for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
