Aircraft crash near Guggi Glacier in Swiss Alps

8 fatalities • Guggi Glacier, Switzerland • Flight

An aircraft flying from Madrid to Fürstenfeldbruck crashed into a mountain slope in the Swiss Alps, resulting in the deaths of all eight people on board.

What happened

A flight traveling from Madrid-Barajas toward the Fürstenfeldbruck airbase west of Munich crashed while traversing the Swiss Alps. At approximately 14:55 local time, the aircraft was cruising at 9,000 feet, and the radio operator had recently reported the plane's position to ground control as being three kilometers south of Dijon.

Following this communication, the aircraft drifted eastward toward the Swiss Alps. The plane eventually struck a mountain slope near the Guggi Glacier. After the flight failed to reach its intended destination, the US Air Force station in Frankfurt-Main AB notified Swiss authorities that the aircraft was missing. Search and rescue efforts led by local residents eventually located the wreckage at an altitude of 3,000 meters one day later.

The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in eight fatalities, with no survivors among the crew or passengers.

Findings

The investigation determined that the crash was the result of a navigation error committed by the flight crew.

Probable cause

The crew's navigational errors caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended course and strike a mountain slope.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1952-03-08 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Guggi Glacier, Switzerland?

An aircraft flying from Madrid to Fürstenfeldbruck crashed into a mountain slope in the Swiss Alps, resulting in the deaths of all eight people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1952-03-08 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1952-03-08 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 42-100593, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Guggi Glacier, Switzerland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's navigational errors caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended course and strike a mountain slope.

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