Overview
- The single‑engine plane went down over the residential area of Limburgerhof on Saturday late morning, killing Salfeld, 66, and his 60‑year‑old pilot.
- The flight departed Aachen‑Merzbrück and was headed to the Oberpfaffenhofen special airport as a private trip, according to police and local reports.
- Witnesses reported a loud bang before debris rained over homes, and investigators are examining whether the aircraft broke apart in the air.
- Police and Germany’s air‑accident authority secured the wreckage, gathered videos and photos from residents, and said a final cause is likely months away.
- Artemed, which runs 19 hospitals with more than 10,000 staff, called the loss devastating but said operations will continue as the family seeks to preserve Salfeld’s legacy; the crashed aircraft was a 1950s North American T‑28 Trojan often flown at historic airshows.