No fatalities

Aircraft crash in Saualpe mountains during blizzard conditions (OE-LAL)

Saualpe, AustriaFlight

On March 16, 1936, a Junkers JU.52 (registration OE-LAL) operated by Ölag - Österreichische Luftverkehrs AG was involved in an aviation accident near Saualpe, Austria in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Collision with terrain during an emergency landing attempt necessitated by severe blizzard weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-08-04Data APIEditorial standards

A three-engine aircraft crashed into a mountain slope near Klagenfurt while attempting an emergency landing due to severe weather. All five occupants on board were rescued, and the airframe was destroyed.

What happened

The three-engine aircraft departed Vienna-Aspern Airport for Rome, with scheduled intermediate stops in Graz, Klagenfurt, and Venice. The flight carried two passengers and a crew of three. During the segment between Graz and Klagenfurt, the crew faced deteriorating weather conditions characterized by blizzard-like visibility and precipitation.

While maintaining an altitude of 2,000 metres, the captain initiated an emergency landing procedure. The aircraft subsequently impacted the slope of a mountain in the Saualpe region, located approximately 33 km northeast of Klagenfurt Airport. Rescue teams recovered all five individuals on board, and the airframe sustained damage beyond repair.

Findings

The accident occurred while the aircraft was operating in poor weather conditions involving blizzard elements. The decision to execute an emergency landing at a low altitude contributed to the collision with terrain.

Probable cause

Collision with terrain during an emergency landing attempt necessitated by severe blizzard weather conditions.