Private Swiss

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

Following an uneventful flight from Bern, the pilot started the descent to Zurich-Kloten Airport in relative good weather conditions (scattered 7,000 feet, visibility 5 km, wind from 340° at 4 knots and OAT 20° C). On short final to runway 14, the single engine aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent, struck the ground, lost its left wing and came to rest about 500 metres short of runway threshold. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Piper PA-46 (Malibu/Meridian/Mirage/Matrix/M-Class)

After passing over the Alps and a layer of stratus over the Plateau, the pilot reached the Willisau VOR where he was cleared to initiate an IFR approach to Grenchen Airport runway 25. He completed a standard turn then followed the 290° radial instead of the published 280° radial. When the DME system indicated 7 NM, the pilot realized he was too far from the normal approach track, disengaged the automatic pilot system and elected to gain altitude. In a flaps down/gear down configuration, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient height and struck, in poor visibility due to thick fog, the wooded slope of Mt Balmfluechöpfli (1,289 metres high) located about 12 km northeast of Grenchen Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and the pilot was killed. The female passenger, slightly injured as she was seating in the seat opposite to the direction of flight, was able to walk away to ask for help.

Partenavia P.68

En route from Ascona, Ticino, to Gerona, weather conditions deteriorated. In limited visibility, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Bindino located near Cuneo. All six occupants were killed.

Partenavia P.68

The twin engine aircraft departed Strasbourg-Entzheim Airport on a private flight to Paris-Le Bourget, carrying one pilot and one passenger. After takeoff from runway 23, while in initial climb, the aircraft crossed the clouds twice then entered a nose-down attitude and crashed one km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.

Dornier DO.28A/B

Upon landing at Albenga Airport, the twin engine airplane veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Noorduyn Norseman

En route from Lomé to Libreville, the engine failed. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and the airplane crash landed in Rio Benito. The pilot was unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was owned by the Swiss Urs Dätwyler.

De Havilland DH.80 Puss Moth

Shortly after takeoff from Spreitenbach, while climbing to a height of some 50 meters, the single engine went out of control and crashed in a field. A passenger was killed while both other occupants were seriously injured. It appears that the loss of control occurred while the aircraft was towed by another airplane (towing practicing). The aircraft was owned by E. Spahni.