What happened
A charter flight operated by a textile industry group was traveling from Bern to Düsseldorf when the accident occurred. The aircraft, a twin-engine plane, departed from runway 32, which was partially covered with wet snow at the time. Shortly after lifting off, the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude as it flew over trees situated along the Aar River.
The flight then lost altitude and entered a left turn before stalling. The aircraft ultimately crashed into a snow-covered field near a wooded area. The wreckage was located approximately 1,250 meters northwest of the threshold of runway 14 and 600 meters to the left of the extended centerline. There were eight fatalities among the eight occupants, which included the pilot and seven passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to the aircraft's performance and configuration during the initial climb. The runway surface was contaminated with wet snow, and investigators noted the possibility of ice accumulation on the wings and tail surfaces. Additionally, the aircraft experienced high drag because the landing gear remained extended.
Critical weight and balance issues were also identified as significant factors. The total weight of the aircraft was 102 kilograms above the maximum takeoff weight, and the center of gravity was 1.42 cm beyond the aft limit. Furthermore, it is possible that the flaps were set at a 15-degree angle during the takeoff and initial climb phases, which would have decreased lift and increased drag. The pilot was also noted to have been under high psychological tension during the flight.