Aircraft recovery from Attersee delayed by rough waves

Efforts to recover a small aircraft that crashed into Lake Attersee on Wednesday have been hampered by rough weather and difficult technical conditions, ORF reported. The wreck could be brought to the surface on Saturday, but it was not yet certain whether the operation would succeed.

Divers worked overnight to attach cables to the aircraft at a depth of 163 metres. A special diving robot operated by the water rescue service was also used to secure the cables with a gripping arm. The operation was halted during the night because of high waves, district fire chief Wolfgang Hufnagl said.

Preparations were due to continue on Saturday morning. If the recovery goes ahead, ropes and lifting balloons will be used to raise the wreck from the water.

Hufnagl said it would only become clear around midday whether the aircraft could be recovered that day. Even if the operation proceeds, it will take several hours and require extremely precise work.

The two-seat P2002JF aircraft crashed for reasons that remain unclear on Wednesday morning and sank immediately. According to initial information, it had taken off in Salzburg. Flightradar24 data showed that contact was lost shortly after 11.23 a.m. A 24-year-old flight instructor and a 19-year-old flight student from Germany were on board.