Schwarzsee - Thun

The pilot and his two passengers were apparently forced to pass an overnight at Schwarzsee (Lac-Noir) following engine troubles. At the end of the day, they decided to leave the area bound for Thun Aerodrome, about 26 km northeast from their position. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a near vertical position in a field located 500 metres northeast from the lake. A passenger was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries.

Flight / Schedule

Schwarzsee - Thun

Registration

HB-UAB

MSN

7075

Year of Manufacture

1935

Date

February 25, 1959 at 06:00 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Private

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Crash Location

Schwarzsee Fribourg

Region

Europe • Switzerland

Coordinates

46.6651°, 7.2806°

Narrative Report

On February 25, 1959 at 06:00 PM, Schwarzsee - Thun experienced a crash involving De Havilland DH.85 Leopard Moth, operated by Aéroclub de Suisse, with the event recorded near Schwarzsee Fribourg.

The flight was categorized as private and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a plain, valley crash site.

3 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 1, crew fatalities: 1, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 2, other fatalities: 0.

The pilot and his two passengers were apparently forced to pass an overnight at Schwarzsee (Lac-Noir) following engine troubles. At the end of the day, they decided to leave the area bound for Thun Aerodrome, about 26 km northeast from their position. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a near vertical position in a field located 500 metres northeast from the lake. A passenger was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries.

Aircraft reference details include registration HB-UAB, MSN 7075, year of manufacture 1935.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 46.6651°, 7.2806°.

Fatalities

Total

3

Crew

1

Passengers

2

Other

0

Crash Summary

The pilot and his two passengers were apparently forced to pass an overnight at Schwarzsee (Lac-Noir) following engine troubles. At the end of the day, they decided to leave the area bound for Thun Aerodrome, about 26 km northeast from their position. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed in a near vertical position in a field located 500 metres northeast from the lake. A passenger was seriously injured while both other occupants were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries.

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

1

Passengers On Board

2

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 3

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Schwarzsee - Thun

Flight Type

Private

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Plain, Valley

Region / Country

Europe • Switzerland

Aircraft Details

Registration

HB-UAB

MSN

7075

Year of Manufacture

1935

Similar Plane Crashes

March 6, 1920 at 12:00 AM

Martin Seidler

Farman F.40

The pilot Martin Seidler, sole on board, was completing a local flight in Porrentruy when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in a field. The pilot escaped uninjured and the aircraft was destroyed.

May 24, 1920 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

Ad Astra Aero

Savoia S.16

The crew was taking part to an Air Show in Romanshorn and arrived in the morning from Geneva. During a demo flight, while flying at an altitude of 700 metres, the aircraft went out of control and lost height. During the dive, wings and other pieces detached and the aircraft eventually crashed in the Lake Constance, some 200 metres offshore. Quickly on the scene, SAR teams just found some debris floating on water and both dead bodies were found later in the lake bottom. The Swiss aviator Pierre Émile Taddéoli was killed with his mechanic Y. Giovanelli, engineer by the Italian motorist Isotta-Fraschini.

August 31, 1920 at 12:00 AM1 Fatalities

Ad Astra Aero

Savoia S.13

The pilot Oscar Bereta was completing a demonstration flight over the Lake of Zurich. In unknown circumstances, he lost control of the seaplane that crashed in the lake off Zürichhorn. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

September 18, 1921 at 06:45 PM2 Fatalities

Ad Astra Aero

Wild WT-S

The single engine airplane departed Solothurn between 1700LT and 1730LT on a flight to Lausanne, carrying one passenger and one pilot. While approaching Lausanne, the airplane was at low height went it went out of control and crashed in an open field located in Sainte Catherine, about 9 km northeast of Lausanne. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed. There was no fire. Crew: Eugène Bouché, pilot. Passenger: Fritz Minder.

March 29, 1922 at 12:00 AM

Ad Astra Aero

Hanriot HD.1

The pilot Walter Mittelholzer, sole on board, was flying overt the Swiss Alps when the aircraft impacted the slope of Mt Guldenstock/Tödi. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was rescued.

June 2, 1922 at 12:00 AM2 Fatalities

École Aéro

Avro 504

The crew was completing a local training flight at Lausanne-Blécherette Airport. The single engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances, killing both occupants Emile Johner and Mr. Glaser.