Balair - Switzerland

Douglas DC-6

The aircraft was completing a humanitarian flight from Cotonou to Uli on behalf of the Red Cross International Comity, carrying a load of 10 tons of food. On final approach from the north by night, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions when the four engine aircraft struck the ground and crashed some 10 km north of Uli Airstrip, near the village of Ihiala. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four crew members were killed. Crew: Karl Eric Baltze, pilot, Hellmut Scharck, copilot, Carl Goesta Sternhag, flight engineer, Bo Valentin Almgren, loadmaster.

Fokker F27 Friendship

The airplane was approaching the runway with 40° flaps and gear down as the pilot realized he was too high on the glide. While still at and altitude of 1,000 feet, ground fine pitch was selected, causing the plane to enter a steep descent. The Fokker touched down very heavily on the main gear, causing the centre section of the wing to fail. The aircraft skidded for about 400 m before coming to rest. There were no injuries among the occupant.

Douglas DC-4

The aircraft was completing a positioning flight from Geneva to Mecca with intermediate stop at Dakar, Niamey and Khartoum, carrying a crew of ten and two Swiss journalists. While overflying Sudan by night at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Djebel Marra. The wreckage was located few hours later. The airplane was destroyed and all 12 occupants were killed.

Fokker F7

While approaching Essen-Mülheim Airport following an uneventful flight from Amsterdam, the crew encountered limited visibility due to foggy conditions. On final approach, the aircraft was too low and collided with the chimney of a factory located near Kettwig. The aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field located some 3 km southwest of the airfield. All three crew members were killed while all three passengers were injured. Crew: Otto Berchtold, pilot, H. Schärli, copilot, Mr. Wagner, radio operator.

Fokker F3

The pilot encountered an unexpected situation while approaching Lausanne and was forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft crash landed in a field located in Cossonay, about 10 km northwest of Lausanne-Blécherette Airport and was damaged beyond repair. The pilot Ulrich Keller was uninjured.

Fokker-Grulich F3

The pilot was performing a special flight from Geneva with four passengers all leaving in the small village of Borex. The aircraft departed Geneva-Cointrin at 1100LT for a 15-minute flight to the east. On approach to Borex, near Nyon, the pilot encountered engine problems and elected to land in an open field. After touchdown, the aircraft hit an electrical pylon, lost its left wing and came to rest. All five occupants evacuated with minor injuries and the aircraft was destroyed. At the time of the accident, there was no electricity as the line was cut due to maintenance work in a close village. Pilot: Charles Hautier. Passengers: Mr. H. Ticon, Mr. A. Briggen, Mr. A. Goncerut, Mr. A. Dupontet.