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‘Mirror flight’ goes awry as chilling video shows 2 planes collide and crash together killing both pilots

The pilots, identified as Michael S, 42, and Dieter G, 72, died while practicing a 'mirror flight' in which one aircraft flies next to another

GERA, GERMANY: In a horrifying moment, two pilots died when two aerobatic stunt planes collided midair before uncontrollably crashing to the ground. A shocking video shows the two aircraft flying in tandem before a complex maneuver goes wrong and causes them to crash and collide. The pilots, identified as Michael S, 42, and Dieter G, 72, died while practicing a "mirror flight," in which one aircraft flies next to another. The terrible crash occurred close to the Leumnitz airfield in Gera, Germany shortly after 6 pm on Saturday, September 24.

Video also captures planes tumbling to the ground and catching fire as black smoke rises from the crash site. The area was cordoned off and emergency services flocked to the scene, as per Bild.

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Firefighters are seen extinguishing the flames at the wreckage in photos taken at the scene, which is only a few feet away from Thränitz neighborhood homes. It was the fire brigade's spokesperson who confirmed the death of the two pilots, Michael S, 42, and Dieter G, 72. During a training session in their single-seater Zlin Z-526 AFS Akrobat aircraft, both the pilots set off for a so-called "mirror flight."

The Federal Institute for Aircraft Accident Investigation and the Gera criminal police have assumed responsibility for the investigation, so the accident's exact cause is still unknown. Bild also reports that the propellers were apparently already damaged in the air by the impact. The evaluation of the rubble, witness statements, and video recordings will probably take weeks.

Aircraft accident expert Norman Kretschmer told the outlet, "So far there is no evidence of a technical defect. We have secured traces of deformation on the wings that indicate a massive collision." Also, aviation expert Andreas Spaeth stated, "It looks as if both pilots wanted to train a common figure in aerobatics with their aircraft. Then, apparently, there was a collision." Contrary to what was to be expected, no visible parts have broken off. It's more like the two machines got stuck and became unable to manoeuvre and then crash linked together."

According to reports, the two had been flying in formation for years and had even won the 2019 world championship for vintage aerobatics. Team Fliegerclub Gera mourns the loss of their flight mates on Facebook and wrote, "We mourn our flight mates Micha Storek and Dieter Geipel, who died in a tragic accident yesterday. They weren't just flight mates, they were friends, family, flight instructors, a team and above all unique. Their loss leaves a huge void. We thank you for your dedication, commitment and every single moment we have shared with you. It was an honor for us to know you and fly with you. You will be greatly missed. Your aviation friends and family of the Gera e.V. aviation club."