Country
Switzerland
code

Zurich

Crash of a Convair CV-440 Metropolitan in Zurich: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1967 at 0746 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-440 Metropolitan
Operator:
Registration:
HB-IMF
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Zurich - Zurich
MSN:
355
YOM:
1956
Location:
Zurich-Kloten
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
3785
Captain / Total hours on type:
2539.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
238
Aircraft flight hours:
24343
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Zurich-Kloten runway 28 at 0743LT on a local training mission, carrying an instructor and three student pilots. During initial climb, the captain turn slightly to the right and continued at low height when the aircraft contacted tree tops, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located in Regensberg, about 8 km northwest of the airport. Debris scattered on more than 200 meters and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the instructor decided to make a turn to the right after rotation rather than to follow the published procedures asking the crew to make a turn to the left. The reason of this decision could not be determined. Due to an insufficient height, the airplane struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area. The lack of visibility caused by foggy conditions was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Learjet 23 in Zurich: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1965 at 1939 LT
Type of aircraft:
Learjet 23
Operator:
Registration:
D-IHAQ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Zurich – Nice
MSN:
23-007
YOM:
1965
Location:
Zurich-Kloten
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
1270
Captain / Total hours on type:
121.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2000
Copilot / Total hours on type:
49
Circumstances:
The airplane, owned by the German Industrialist Harald Quandt, was en route from Zurich to Nice. During the takeoff roll on runway 28 at Zurich-Kloten Airport, while at a speed of 132 knots, the captain realized that the rotation was impossible and decided to abort the takeoff procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (runway 28 is 2,500 meters long), the airplane overran at a speed of 80-100 knots, went through the perimeter fence and came to rest on a road. All seven passengers were unhurt while the captain was injured. The copilot was seriously wounded and died from his injuries while being transferred to a local hospital. At the time of the accident, runway 28 was wet due to recent rain falls.
Probable cause:
It was determined that at the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 5,935 kg, about 250 kg above the MTOW. It was also reported that the crew failed to prepare the flight properly and that a lack of coordination was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth in Zurich: 3 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1957
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth
Operator:
Registration:
HB-OKO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
7105
YOM:
1935
Location:
Zurich-Kloten
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Crashed on landing at Zurich-Kloten Airport, killing all three occupants, among them the pilot Walter Nägeli.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12B in Eglisau: 23 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1956 at 1820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-12
Operator:
Registration:
OK-DBP
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Zurich – Prague
MSN:
9 301 35 17
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
OK548
Location:
Eglisau
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Zurich-Kloten Airport, while climbing by night, the airplane went out of control and crashed nose first in a field located in Eglisau, about 12 km north of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 23 occupants have been killed. A crater of 10 meters width and three meters depth was found at the point of impact.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the loss of control could not be determined with certainty.

Crash of a Convair CV-240-12 in Zurich: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 19, 1953 at 1853 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-240
Operator:
Registration:
OO-AWO
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Brussels – Zurich
MSN:
128
YOM:
1949
Location:
Zurich
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
39
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Zurich-Kloten Airport, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions. Twice, the approach controller informed the crew about his insufficient altitude but the pilot's responses were indistincts. At this time, the aircraft was about 1,500 feet below the minimum descent altitude. On final, the airplane hit the ground, lost its left wing and crashed in a field located 1,500 meters short of runway 14 threshold. 37 occupants were unhurt, six passengers were injured and a young girl aged three (Mrs. Delsaux) was killed. The aircraft was destroyed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to bad weather and night.
Probable cause:
Apparently in order to maintain a visual contact with the ground, the flight crew decided to descend below the glide path, passing below the minimum descend altitude. The approach was then completed at an insufficient height until the final impact with the ground, in violation of the published procedures. Poor visibility caused by night and marginal weather conditions was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas DC-4 in Zurich: 6 killed

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1951 at 0600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-4
Operator:
Registration:
4X-ADN
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tel Aviv – Rome – Zurich – Amsterdam
MSN:
10512
YOM:
1945
Location:
Zurich
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On final approach to Zurich-Kloten Airport, the pilot-in-command did not realize his altitude was insufficient due to poor visibility caused by night and foggy conditions. The four engine aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located about 5 km north of the runway 16 threshold. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and six crew members were killed while a seventh occupant was injured.
Crew:
Cpt Theodore Gibson, pilot, †
Cpt Robert Constant, copilot, †
George Henninger, navigator, †
Morgen Jensen, †
Terence Melly, copilot, †
Shlomo Levity, †
Michael Querzia, radio operator.

Crash of a Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express in Dübendorf: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 18, 1945 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express
Operator:
Registration:
44-39213
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
15
Location:
Dübendorf
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On touchdown at Dübendorf Airport, the right main gear collapsed, causing the engine number four to hit the runway surface. The captain increased power and decided to go around. During initial climb, the aircraft stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located some 550 meters northwest of the Hangar #2. Apparently, four crew members were killed while two others were injured.
Crew:
Cpt Robert Percy Neisser 5.

Crash of a Consolidated B-24J-105-CO Liberator in Dübendorf: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 18, 1944 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Operator:
Registration:
42-109826
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Bombing
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3622
Location:
Dübendorf
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a bombing mission in Germany on behalf of the 392nd Bombing Group. While overflying Germany, the aircraft was hit by Flak. Five crew members bailed out while the captain and four others decided to continue to Switzerland. On landing in Dübendorf Airport, in Zurich, the aircraft hit the ground and came to rest in flames. All five crew escaped unhurt while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire. Later, it was confirmed that one of the crew members that bailed out over Germany was killed, the four others were taken POW.
Crew:
Lieutenant George Haffermehl, POW
Second Lieutenant Donald MacMullen, interned in Switzerland
Second Lieutenant Kenneth Parks, interned in Switzerland
First Lieutenant Samuel B. Poppel, interned in Switzerland
Technical Sergeant Leon J. Beausoleil, interned in Switzerland
Technical Sergeant Earl S. Parker, POW
Staff Sergeant Jewell W. Mitchell, interned in Switzerland
Staff Sergeant Michael G. Harwick, POW
Staff Sergeant Frederick J. Wagner, killed
Staff Sergeant Louis H. Landry, POW
Probable cause:
Hit by Flak.

Crash of a Heinkel He.111P in Kemleten

Date & Time: May 16, 1940 at 1730 LT
Type of aircraft:
Heinkel He.111
Operator:
Registration:
1G+HT
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Baltringen-Mietingen - Baltringen-Mietingen
Location:
Kemleten
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Baltringen-Mietingen on a reconnaissance mission. The crew encountered bad weather and icing conditions. After the pilot lost his orientation, the airplane entered the Swiss Airspace and was attacked by Swiss fighters. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a snow covered field located in Kemleten, some 5 km south of Winterthur, bursting into flames. All four crew members were found alive, two of them bailed out before the crash. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-115B in Dübendorf

Date & Time: Feb 28, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-2
Operator:
Registration:
HB-ITI
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Zurich – Croydon
MSN:
1321
YOM:
1934
Location:
Dübendorf
Zurich
Country:
Switzerland
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after lift off from Dübendorf Airport, the captain Walter Mittelholzer noted the aircraft was unable to gain sufficient altitude as the speed was too low. He decided to land past the runway but the aircraft hit a fence, lost its left main gear and slid for few dozen metres before colliding with trees and coming to rest in an orchard. The captain, the radio navigator and two passengers were injured while all four other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair as the right wing was partially torn off and the left wing severely crushed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with snow falls and icing that probably reduced the aircraft performances upon takeoff.
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