Incident Overview
On July 19, 2017, a single-engine Jodel D11-2 aircraft was involved in an accident near Pfäffikon (ZH), Switzerland. The incident occurred during a training flight for a private pilot license. Two individuals on board were seriously injured, and the aircraft sustained heavy damage. Additionally, there was damage to the ground surface.
Flight Sequence
The flight departed from Speck-Fehraltorf airfield at approximately 17:40 local time. The instructor and student completed two full circuit landings successfully. Despite observing darkening skies toward Lake Zug, they decided to perform a third circuit due to initially calm conditions. During the climb-out of the third takeoff, the aircraft encountered severe turbulence. The instructor took control from the student and initiated a shortened approach to Runway 12.
Crash Dynamics
During the final approach, strong wind gusts caused significant airspeed fluctuations. Recognizing that a safe landing was not possible on the remaining runway length, the instructor executed a go-around maneuver at full power. While turning left in the crosswind leg at approximately 60 feet above ground level, the aircraft encountered a strong tailwind component and lost altitude rapidly. Unable to regain height or execute a turn back due to terrain constraints, the instructor attempted an emergency landing in a field. The aircraft entered a steep left roll, struck crops with its left wing, rotated around the wingtip, and impacted an asphalt road nose-first at approximately 18:27 local time.
Meteorological Context
Pre-flight weather briefings indicated expected thunderstorms later in the evening. A multi-cell thunderstorm system formed in the Bernese Oberland and moved northeastward. The associated cold front and gust front reached the accident area shortly before the crash, creating the hazardous wind shear conditions that contributed to the loss of control.