Tragedy in the sky: Weitra mourns the death of aviation pioneer Harry Becker!

Tragedy in the sky: Weitra mourns the death of aviation pioneer Harry Becker!

On December 1, 2024, a tragic plane crash occurred near the Pfarrstuhl near Groß-Siegharts, claiming the life of Harald “Harry” Becker, an experienced 83-year-old pilot. Becker, a well-known and valued citizen from Weitra, ran a popular supermarket in the city for many years. With over 45 years of flying experience, he was a member of the Union Fliegergruppe Waldviertel and regularly flew throughout Europe, finding his greatest passion in aviation, as stated in a report by NOEN is described.

Search operation and cause of crash

The alarming news of the crash reached emergency services around 3:30 p.m. when an eyewitness observed the incident. Despite the immediate mobilization of around 250 rescue workers to search the forest, a helicopter was unavailable due to dense fog. It was only with the help of drones that the crash site could be located, but the poor accessibility of the site posed a significant challenge crown reported. Eventually, evidence of the plane was found, but any help came too late for Becker, as he probably died immediately in the crash.

The exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear. The investigation was taken over by the Lower Austrian State Criminal Police Office and an autopsy was ordered. Experts reported that the weather on the day of the accident was tricky and that there was a risk of carburetor icing at such low temperatures. Becker flew his single-engine aircraft, a Flight Design CT, under visual flight conditions and without radio contact with air traffic control. The grief over the loss of the popular pilot and entrepreneur is deeply felt in his home community of Weitra, and the local community is affected by this tragic incident.