No fatalities

Aircraft Deviates from Glide Path and Crashes at Basel Airport (PH-ASU)

Basel-EuroAirport, FranceLanding (descent or approach)

On February 25, 1986, a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain (registration PH-ASU) operated by XP Express Parcel Systems was involved in an aviation accident near Basel-EuroAirport, France during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered PH-ASU
Aircraft registered PH-ASU. Photo: Rob Hodgkins / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During an ILS approach to Basel Airport, a crew realized the aircraft was left of the glide path. An excessive correction caused a descent to the right, ground impact, and collision with a snow berm. Both occupants were rescued; aircraft damaged beyond repair.

Incident

While conducting an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach to Basel Airport, the crew reached the decision height of 200 feet. At that point, they recognized that the aircraft was positioned too far to the left of the glide path. The pilot-in-command initiated a correction maneuver to realign the aircraft, but the input was excessive. This overcorrection caused the aircraft to descend to the right of the intended flight path.

The aircraft subsequently struck the ground, penetrated a fence, and ultimately collided with a snow berm. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft.

Aftermath

Both occupants of the aircraft were rescued from the scene. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Feb 1986 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident near Basel-EuroAirport, France?

During an ILS approach to Basel Airport, a crew realized the aircraft was left of the glide path. An excessive correction caused a descent to the right, ground impact, and collision with a snow berm. Both occupants were rescued; aircraft damaged beyond repair.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Feb 1986 Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Feb 1986 involved a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain, registration PH-ASU, operated by XP Express Parcel Systems, at Basel-EuroAirport, France.