What happened
On March 8, 1965, at approximately 16:45 CET, a Piper PA-22-108 "Colt", registration D-EHRO, was involved in an accident near the Albulapass in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. The flight originated from Baden-Oos, with intermediate stops in Stuttgart and Leipheim, and was destined for Samedan.
While navigating the north ramp of the Albulapass, the pilot attempted a direct crossing of the pass without performing any climbing turns. As the aircraft approached the saddle area near Crap Alv, the pilot realized the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude to clear the terrain. By the time this deficiency was recognized, the proximity to the ground made a safe reversal maneuver impossible. The pilot applied full throttle and attempted to steer toward the lowest point of the terrain, but the rising ground eventually caused the aircraft to strike the surface. Upon impact with the rising terrain and deep snow, the aircraft rolled over.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot possessed approximately 63 hours of total flight experience, but had no experience in mountain flying. The aircraft was operating at a weight of approximately 620 kg, well within its maximum takeoff weight of 750 kg. At the time of the accident, the weather was clear with high visibility, though winter conditions persisted on the ground.
Investigators examined the cockpit at the crash site and found the throttle at full power, the mixture set to rich, and the altimeter set to 1028 mb. There were no technical defects found in the engine or airframe that contributed to the event.
Findings
- The pilot approached the mountain pass at an insufficient altitude.
- The pilot failed to recognize the increasing danger until the aircraft was too close to the terrain to execute a safe turning maneuver.
- The pilot's lack of specialized mountain flying experience contributed to the failure to properly compare the aircraft's altitude with the topographical features of the valley.