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2 fatalities

General Aviation Clark GA-43 accident at Mt Rigi, Switzerland, 30 Apr 1936 (HB-ITU)

Mt Rigi, SwitzerlandFlight

On April 30, 1936, a General Aviation Clark GA-43 (registration HB-ITU) operated by Swissair was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Rigi, Switzerland in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain after the crew missed the airport of Basel and apparently got lost overt Switzerland while flying at night and marginal weather conditions. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew missed the airport of Basel and apparently got lost overt Switzerland while flying at night and marginal weather conditions.

— the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A) Determination

Accident narrative

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Frankfurt to Basel. At night and in unfavorable weather conditions, the crew overflew Basel without locating the airport and continued to the southeast, in direction to the center of Switzerland. Dozen minutes later, the single engine aircraft impacted the west slope of the Mt Rigi (1,798 metres high) located 4,5 km southeast of Küssnacht. The wreckage was found in a snow covered forest located some 92 km southeast of Basel-Sternenfeld Airport. Both crew members were killed. Crew: Ernst Gerber, pilot, Arthur Müller, radio navigator.

Probable cause (official findings): Controlled flight into terrain after the crew missed the airport of Basel and apparently got lost overt Switzerland while flying at night and marginal weather conditions.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Apr 1936 General Aviation Clark GA-43 accident near Mt Rigi, Switzerland?

The crew was performing a cargo flight from Frankfurt to Basel. At night and in unfavorable weather conditions, the crew overflew Basel without locating the airport and continued to the southeast, in direction to the center of Switzerland. Dozen minutes later, the single engine aircraft impacted the west slope of the…

Were there any fatalities in the 30 Apr 1936 General Aviation Clark GA-43 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Apr 1936 involved a General Aviation Clark GA-43, registration HB-ITU, operated by Swissair, at Mt Rigi, Switzerland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew missed the airport of Basel and apparently got lost overt Switzerland while flying at night and marginal weather conditions.

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