Accident Summary
On 16 September 2007, at 19:05 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 Archer II, registered HB-PGC, collided with terrain at Bocchetta di Föisc, approximately 4 km east-northeast of Airolo in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland. The aircraft was on a flight from Florence-Peretola, Italy, to Zurich, Switzerland, with four persons on board.
Flight Details
The flight departed Florence at 17:18 local time. The intended route was over Milan and the Gotthard Pass. The Alps were mostly covered in clouds. The aircraft flew up the Leventina valley towards Airolo but could not cross the Gotthard Pass due to low clouds. The collision occurred west of Lake Ritom at an elevation of 2100 m above sea level.
Injuries and Aircraft Damage
Two occupants sustained fatal injuries, while the pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Minor ground damage occurred.
Search and Rescue
The aircraft was declared overdue at 20:25 local time. Due to poor weather conditions, only ground search was possible during the night. The wreckage was located at 10:04 local time on 17 September 2007 by the crew of a search helicopter, enabling the rescue of surviving occupants.
Investigation and Causes
The investigation was opened by the Swiss Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU) on 17 September 2007 at approximately 12:30 local time, in cooperation with the Cantonal Police of Ticino. The probable cause, as stated in the final report, was that the aircraft collided with terrain following continuation of flight with insufficient visual references. Contributing factors included the pilot's low experience in mountain flying under demanding weather conditions, insufficient flight preparation, and insufficient exchange of information within a flying training organization.