1970-03-06: Handley Page H.P.137 Jetstream (D-INAH) — Bavaria Fluggesellschaft — Samedan, Switzerland

11 fatalitiesSamedan, SwitzerlandLanding (descent or approach)

A charter flight from Munich-Riem crashed near Samedan Airport following a left engine fire, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During the final approach phase at Samedan Airport, an aircraft operating a charter service from Munich-Riem experienced a critical failure of its left engine. The engine malfunction resulted in an active fire, causing the plane to lose both altitude and airspeed. As the flight progressed toward the runway, the aircraft impacted power cables before crashing into a snow-covered field. The wreckage was located approximately 3 km short of the runway and 500 meters to the right of the extended centerline.

The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and caused 11 fatalities, including six children. There were no survivors among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the primary cause was the disintegration of the first stage of the turbine. This mechanical failure led to overheating and a subsequent explosion within the left engine during the approach.

Probable cause

The disintegration of the turbine's first stage triggered an overheat and explosion in the left engine.