Incident Overview
On March 14, 2012, at approximately 12:00 local time, a serious accident occurred involving a Piper PA-18 "150" Super-Cub with registration HB-PMN. The incident took place on the Tsanfleuron Glacier in the municipality of Savièse, Valais, Switzerland, at an altitude of 2,750 meters above sea level. The aircraft was operated by Association Snow Fish and was engaged in a visual flight rules (VFR) day instruction session focused on mountain landing techniques.
Operational Context
The accident occurred during the first day of a four-day training camp organized for mountain aviation skills. The instructor, a Swiss citizen holding an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), was assisting a student pilot in acquiring the Mountain Operations (MOU) extension. Prior to the incident, the pair had completed two approaches on the glacier. The aircraft was equipped with skis and powered by a Lycoming O-320-A2B engine.
Sequence of Events
During the third approach, the instructor heard radio communications from a Pilatus Porter (HB-FLG) used for logistics, which announced its intention to take off but remained stationary. Suspecting the Porter's skis were stuck in the snow, the instructor decided to assist. He instructed the student to keep the Piper PA-18 engine at idle to prevent rolling back down the slight slope.
The instructor exited the cabin and walked toward the Pilatus Porter to apply lateral force to its wing struts. As he passed the nose of his own aircraft, HB-PMN, he was struck by the rotating propeller on his left arm and shoulder. The student immediately shut down the engine and cut the ignition. The instructor sustained deep lacerations but no fatal injuries. The student pilot was not injured.
Aircraft Condition and Environment
The Piper PA-18 suffered no damage in the incident. Weather conditions at the time included clear skies, visibility exceeding 10 km, and a north-easterly wind of 13 knots with gusts up to 23 knots. The temperature was 0°C. A technical note indicated that the instructor's push-to-talk radio button was non-functional, though reception remained active.