Country
code
Graubünden
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 Cessna T303 Crusader on Mt Piz Ault: 5 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 21, 1993 at 1037 LT
Operator:
Registration:
D-IBCT
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lugano - Bielefeld
MSN:
303-00207
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Captain / Total hours on type:
650.00
Aircraft flight hours:
1361
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Lugano-Agno Airport at 1037LT on a private flight to Bielefeld, carrying four passengers and one pilot. The aircraft continued to the north and climbed to the assigned altitude of 15,000 feet that was maintained until over Ambri. Then, the aircraft lost 500 feet and its speed varied between 150 and 95 knots. ATC instructed the pilot to climb to FL150 when three minutes later, the aircraft lost 800 feet then disappeared from radar screens. The wreckage was found two days later on the southern slope of Mt Piz Ault, Graubünden. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and all five occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with a northerly wind gusting to 50 knots and a visibility reduced to 200 metres due to snow falls. Severe icing conditions were reported with significant atmospheric turbulences on airway A9.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the following:
- Wrong estimation of weather conditions on part of the pilot actualized in the Alps area,
- The pilot decided to continue the flight into weather conditions that exceeded the aircraft's power and the pilot's capabilities,
- The total weight of the aircraft was 210 lbs above the maximal permissible weight,
- It is possible that the pilot's attention was diverted because a non fixed GPS system was turning around in the cockpit due to turbulences.
- Wrong estimation of weather conditions on part of the pilot actualized in the Alps area,
- The pilot decided to continue the flight into weather conditions that exceeded the aircraft's power and the pilot's capabilities,
- The total weight of the aircraft was 210 lbs above the maximal permissible weight,
- It is possible that the pilot's attention was diverted because a non fixed GPS system was turning around in the cockpit due to turbulences.
Final Report:
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 Piaggio P.166AL-1 on Piz Cavardiras: 2 killed
Date & Time:
Feb 23, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
D-IHAK
Survivors:
No
MSN:
363
YOM:
1960
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was apparently performing a positioning flight from Germany to Nice via Milan when the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of Piz Cavardiras (2,959 meters high) located in Graubünden, Switzerland. The wreckage was found few hours later and both crew members were killed.
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 Douglas DC-2-115E near Pian San Giacomo: 13 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 20, 1935 at 1225 LT
Operator:
Registration:
PH-AKG
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milan – Frankfurt – Amsterdam
MSN:
1335
YOM:
1935
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The aircraft named 'Gaai' departed Milan Airport at 1156LT bound for Frankfurt. While overflying Ticino at the altitude of 5,000 metres, the crew encountered poor weather with severe icing conditions. The aircraft lost height and while descending through the last cloud layer, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the aircraft impacted trees and crashed near Pian San Giacomo, Graubünden. The stewardess was found seriously injured while 12 other occupants were killed. She died from her injuries few hours later.
Probable cause:
Lost of control following an excessive accumulation of ice on both wings and fuselage, increasing aircraft's weight and decreasing performances. Poor weather conditions, icing, low visibility and the absence of a suitable terrain for an emergency landing were considered as contributing factors.
Crash of a De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth in Chur
Date & Time:
Feb 14, 1933
Registration:
CH-323
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
2206
YOM:
1931
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in Chur. The pilot, sole on board, was injured.
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.
