Two dead in light aircraft crash in the Ötscher region: 15-year-old and uncle survive

According to consistent media reports, the flight was a confirmation gift for the teenager from the district of Amstetten. The aircraft had taken off early on Sunday morning from the airfield of Flugunion Seitenstetten; the route led over Lower Austria and the lake landscape of the Salzkammergut. The public prosecutor's office ordered an autopsy of the pilot's body.

Shortly before impact, the pilot radioed in a "Totalausfall" of the engine. "Wenig später gab es einen zweiten Funkspruch", a criminal investigator reported. This matches statements from eyewitnesses on the ground, who had noticed "merkwürdige Motorengeräusche" and "Motoraussetzer" from the light aircraft.

Final radio message and witness statements

The 15-year-old survived, as if by a miracle, with only minor injuries. After being rescued by rope, she was taken by emergency medical helicopter to a hospital in Linz and, according to initial reports, was allowed to leave it as early as Monday. Her 41-year-old uncle continues to receive intensive medical care in hospital, according to police spokesperson Stefan Loidl.

Survivors receive care

The recovery operation proved extremely difficult due to the steep and rugged terrain. "Der Zugang war sehr unwegsam. Wir mussten uns mit Motorsägen den Weg freimachen und auch einen Behelfszugang über ein Bachbett errichten", said Philipp Pflügl, press spokesperson for the Scheibbs district fire brigade command. Several trees had to be removed first to allow safe access to the wreckage.

Difficult recovery on steep terrain

"Da sich die Trümmerteile über das unwegsame Gelände verteilten, waren mehrere Flüge eines Transporthubschraubers erforderlich", Pflügl continued. Fire brigade units from Lackenhof, Gaming, Lunz am See, Göstling an der Ybbs, Mitterbach and Mariazell had been deployed since the early afternoon hours, with around 90 firefighters and 15 vehicles.

A stroke of luck came from youth group leaders, who placed the 122 emergency call and attempted to push forward to the crash site to provide first aid. They reacted with great presence of mind and supported the arriving rescue forces in caring for the survivors.

According to reports, the pilot had passed the private pilot's license examination at the flying club in October 2024. In autumn 2025, he had also completed the examination for the "Touring Motor Glider", i.e. for a specific class of motor gliders. The exact circumstances of the crash are being investigated by the public prosecutor's office.