Recovery of crashed small aircraft from 165-meter depth in Lake Attersee has begun

Securing the wreck takes priority

The on-site operations command is coordinating the work in consultation with the police and other specialist agencies. The site where the wreck was located lies in the Steinbach am Attersee area, where the logistical base for the recovery has also been set up. Underwater weather and visibility conditions determine how quickly the individual work steps progress.

The police had investigated the crash of the small aircraft together with the Upper Austrian State Criminal Police Office. After the wreck is recovered, further investigations into the circumstances of the crash are to be carried out. The two occupants of the two-seater lost their lives in the accident.

The authorities continue to assume an accident, although the exact causes have not yet been conclusively established. With the recovered wreck, investigators hope to gain insight into technical defects or other factors that may have led to the crash. The evaluation is expected to be carried out by specialists from the State Criminal Police Office.

Investigations into the cause of the crash

The recovery is not only forensically but also operationally risky: at a depth of 165 meters, there are low temperatures, high pressure, and limited visibility. The fire department is therefore deploying specialized diving teams that work in stages in order to limit the strain on the emergency personnel and minimize risks.

According to APA information, representatives of the responsible aviation supervisory authorities are also involved at the operation site. They are accompanying the salvage in order to document possible wreck parts, instruments, and on-board systems for later examination. Preparations had already begun in the preceding days with diving operations to determine the position.

Logistical feat of strength at a depth of 165 meters

The recovery operation is expected to last several hours. If the securing with ropes is successfully completed, the wreck could be brought to the surface during the course of the day or the following day. The fire department wants to inform the public about the progress of the operation.

For the residents of Steinbach am Attersee, the operation does not mean any additional impairments. According to the operations command, no closures on the water are planned; shipping traffic can take a wide detour around the affected shoreline area. Nevertheless, the police are asking people to avoid the area for safety reasons.

The accident itself attracted attention beyond the region because small aircraft rarely crash into lakes in Upper Austria. The combination of an aviation accident, deep-water diving, and criminal investigation makes the case one of the more complex operations of recent years.

After the successful recovery, the wreck will be transported away for further examination. This will be followed by the technical evaluation of the flight data recorders and other components. Only then can the authorities make definitive statements on the cause of the accident.