Zone
Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3mg4e in Samedan
Date & Time:
Feb 11, 1998 at 0924 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HB-HOS
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dübendorf - Samedan
MSN:
6580
YOM:
1939
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1268.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1315
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Dübendorf to Samedan, carrying 17 passengers and three crew members. After touchdown on runway 03 at Samedan Airport, the aircraft deviated to the left. The crew elected to regain control but at a speed of 110 km/h, the aircraft struck a snow wall on a distance of 250 metres, causing severe damages to the left wing, left engine and left main gear. All 20 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The accident was due to a loss of control which occurred during the deceleration phase following the presence of marginal vortices created by an aircraft of the same type and from the same operator that just landed on the same runway two minutes earlier. The presence of a snow wall by the runway and the possible inadequate corrective actions on part of the flying crew remained contributing factors.
Crash of a Dassault Falcon 20C in Samedan
Date & Time:
Feb 20, 1972 at 1417 LT
Registration:
HB-VCG
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Zurich - Samedan
MSN:
231
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
1685.00
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1930
Aircraft flight hours:
742
Circumstances:
While descending to Samedan Airport, weather conditions worsened rapidly. Despite the situation, the captain decided to continue the approach under VFR mode. In a limited visibility of 2 km in snow falls, the pilot-in-command passed over Lake Silvaplana at low height then initiated a right turn when the right wing tip struck the icy water. The airplane crash landed and slid for 200 meters before coming to rest. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew who failed to take into consideration the weather deterioration. At the time of the accident, the approach speed was too high while the altitude was too low. It was determined that the pilot-in-command took the decision to continue the approach under VFR mode in IMC conditions.
Crash of a Handley Page HP.137 Jetstream 1 in Samedan: 11 killed
Date & Time:
Mar 6, 1970
Operator:
Registration:
D-INAH
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Munich - Samedan
MSN:
205
YOM:
1969
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
On final approach to Samedan Airport, while completing a charter flight from Munich-Riem, the left engine failed and caught fire. The airplane lost speed and height, struck power cables and crashed in flames in a snow covered field located 3 km short of runway and 500 meters to the right of its extended centerline. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed, among them six children and Max Schwabe, the founder of Bavaria.
Probable cause:
Disintegration of the first stage of the turbine caused the overheat and the explosion of the left engine on final approach.
Crash of a Percival P.54 Prince in La Punt-Chamues: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 24, 1957 at 1220 LT
Operator:
Registration:
HB-HOF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bern - Samedan
MSN:
P54/042
YOM:
1952
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was performing a flight from Bern-Belpmoos Airport to Samedan on behalf of the 'Service Technique du Département Militaire Fédéral - Mensuration Cadastrale Suisse'. On final approach to Samedan Airport, the aircraft stalled and crashed in a field located five km short of runway 21. One occupant was killed while two others were rescued.
Crew:
Carl Wipfli,
Fritz Frischknecht.
Crew:
Carl Wipfli,
Fritz Frischknecht.
Probable cause:
It is reported that the loss of control was caused by an engine failure on final.
Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Saint Moritz: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Jan 31, 1933
Registration:
G-AAYB
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2033
YOM:
1930
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from a frozen lake located in Saint Moritz. The pilot and owner Patrick Geoffrey T. Rodd was killed while the passenger Charles Schaer was injured.
