Zurich – Croydon
Flight / Schedule
Zurich – Croydon
Aircraft
Douglas DC-2Registration
HB-ITI
MSN
1321
Year of Manufacture
1934
Operator
SwissairDate
February 28, 1936 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Zurich Zurich
Region
Europe • Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3842°, 8.4949°
Crash Cause
Weather
Narrative Report
On February 28, 1936 at 12:00 AM, Zurich – Croydon experienced a crash involving Douglas DC-2, operated by Swissair, with the event recorded near Zurich Zurich.
The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
8 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 4, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is weather. Just after lift off from Dübendorf Airport, near Zurich, 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 several yards before colliding with several 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 sheared 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 on takeoff.
Aircraft reference details include registration HB-ITI, MSN 1321, year of manufacture 1934.
Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 47.3842°, 8.4949°.
Fatalities
Total
0
Crew
0
Passengers
0
Other
0
Crash Summary
Just after lift off from Dübendorf Airport, near Zurich, 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 several yards before colliding with several 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 sheared 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 on takeoff.
Cause: Weather
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
4
Estimated Survivors
8
Fatality Rate
0.0%
Known people on board: 8
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Zurich – Croydon
Operator
SwissairFlight Type
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Flight Phase
Takeoff (climb)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
Europe • Switzerland
Aircraft Details
Similar Plane Crashes
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.