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Aircraft Crash at Sydney, Nova Scotia During Diverted Approach (HB-ILE)

Sydney, CanadaLanding (descent or approach)

On December 13, 1950, a Douglas DC-4 (registration HB-ILE) operated by Swissair was involved in an aviation accident near Sydney, Canada during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The impact of the aircraft with the ground while out of control due to failure on the part of the captain to maintain sufficient height to clear the approach light poles, three of which were struck by the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft named 'Zürich' crashed while approaching Sydney, Nova Scotia, after striking approach lights. All 31 occupants evacuated, but a later fire partially destroyed the plane.

Incident Overview and Flight Details An aircraft named 'Zürich' was operating a regular scheduled flight from Zurich to New York, with stops at Geneva, Shannon, and Gander. The aircraft was carrying 2.5 tons of cargo when the incident occurred. ## Approach and Impact While approaching Gander in poor weather conditions, air traffic control instructed the crew to divert to Sydney, Nova Scotia. During the final approach, the aircraft was too low and struck three approach lights. The pilot in command immediately increased power, but both left engines were damaged by the impact and failed to respond properly. ## Crash and Aftermath The left wing stalled, causing the aircraft to crash in flames a few dozen yards short of the runway. All 31 occupants successfully evacuated the cabin, and the crew extinguished the initial fire. However, approximately thirty minutes later, another fire erupted on the left side of the aircraft, partially destroying the airplane.

Probable cause

The impact of the aircraft with the ground while out of control due to failure on the part of the captain to maintain sufficient height to clear the approach light poles, three of which were struck by the aircraft. After striking the approach light poles, the captain and first officer were unable to maintain control of the aircraft due to the malfunctioning of numbers 1 and 2 engines and structural damage to the left wing and flap.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

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