On January 24, 1994, a Cessna 425 Conquest (registration D-IEFW) operated by Aerowest Flugcenter was involved in an aviation accident near Altenrhein, Switzerland during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The aircraft quickly lost altitude on final for unknown reasons. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine charter aircraft on a flight from Riga to Paris crashed into Lake Constance during approach to Altenrhein Airport. Three bodies were recovered; the pilot, a female passenger, and a dog were never found. The cause could not be determined.
Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft conducting a charter flight from Riga to Paris-Le Bourget, with intermediate stops in Prague and Altenrhein, crashed into Lake Constance (Bodensee) while on approach to Altenrhein Airport. The accident occurred approximately 4 kilometers short of runway 10, off the shore of Rorschach. The aircraft lost height and impacted the lake.
Wreckage and Recovery
Three bodies were recovered in the days following the accident. The wreckage was located at a depth of 160 meters on February 7. The bodies of the pilot, a female passenger, and a dog were never recovered.
Investigation
The official investigation determined that the exact cause of the accident could not be established. The aircraft quickly lost altitude on final approach for reasons that remain unknown.
Probable cause
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. The aircraft quickly lost altitude on final for unknown reasons.