Accident Details
On 18 February 2024 at 13:04 UTC, a Pacific Aerospace PAC 750 aircraft, registered HB-TCP, was engaged in parachutist drop operations near Grenchen, Switzerland. The aircraft, operated by Skydive Grenchen, experienced an issue that rendered it uncontrollable, leading to a crash. The accident site was located 900 meters southwest of runway threshold 06 at Grenchen airfield. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and one parachutist was injured.
Investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) initiated an investigation into the accident. As New Zealand is the State of Manufacture of the aircraft, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) of New Zealand received a request for assistance from the STSB on 14 August 2025.
TAIC Involvement
TAIC opened an administrative inquiry to assist as an Accredited Representative under ICAO Annex 13 provisions. In March 2026, after confirmation that assistance was no longer required, TAIC concluded its inquiry.