What happened
On 10 January 2000, the Crossair flight CRX 498, operated by Crossair, departed Zurich Airport for Dresden. The aircraft, a BAe 146 (registration HB-AKK), had previously arrived from Guernsey and was prepared for its next leg at stand F7LE. During the departure, the aircraft operated in darkness and transitioned into instrument meteorological conditions as it climbed through a cloud base of 500 feet.
After receiving takeoff clearance for runway 28, the aircraft began its roll at 16:54:10 UTC. The crew performed the takeoff procedure, and the landing gear was retracted shortly after liftoff. While climbing, the aircraft was instructed by Zurich departure to turn left toward the Zurich East VOR. Although the flight crew acknowledged the instruction, the aircraft began to roll to the right.
As the aircraft climbed, the bank angle increased significantly. The pilot flying attempted to stabilize the rightward bank, but the aircraft's attitude became unstable. The pitch decreased, and the aircraft entered a period of uncoordinated control inputs. Eventually, the aircraft entered a spiral dive, with the bank angle reaching an extreme 137 degrees to the right. Despite the first officer's urgent calls to turn left, the aircraft's descent accelerated, and the airspeed exceeded safe limits, triggering the overspeed warning. The aircraft struck an open field near Au, Nassenwil, ZH, at 16:56:27 UTC. The accident resulted in 10 fatalities (three crew members and seven passengers) and 0 injuries.