Incident
On Monday, 10 July 1967, at 2018 local time, a Beechcraft A-23-19 Musketeer (registration HB-EWC) and a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee (registration HB-OWG) collided on the runway at Bern Airport. The Musketeer, operated by Alpar Flug- und Flugplatzgesellschaft AG, was conducting touch-and-go landings with a student pilot in the left seat and an instructor in the right. The Cherokee, operated by Aviation Market SA, also carried an instructor and student. Both aircraft were on the main runway 32.
Sequence of Events
After three successful touch-and-go circuits, the Musketeer instructor reported downwind and requested another touch-and-go. The tower controller, who also handled the Cherokee inbound for the grass runway, used VDF to determine positions and reassigned priority: the Cherokee became number one, cleared for touch-and-go, and the Musketeer number two behind it. As the Musketeer turned final, the instructor judged the spacing insufficient and announced an overshoot. The controller acknowledged. Moments later, the controller saw the Musketeer descending toward the Cherokee, which had just landed. Initially believing the Musketeer was offset, the controller then realized it was directly over the runway and called out, but too late. The Musketeer's nose wheel struck the Cherokee's cabin roof and propeller, detaching the wheel.
Aftermath
The Musketeer instructor, who had applied full power, retained control and climbed away. After two low passes to assess damage, he landed with the engine cut off, stopping on the runway without its nose wheel. The Cherokee braked and vacated the runway under its own power. Emergency services were alerted but not needed. Occupants of both aircraft exited unharmed.
Investigation
The investigation was opened the same evening by the Federal Commission of Inquiry into Aircraft Accidents. No evidence suggested the Musketeer instructor was unfit to fly. The controller held a valid Category I air traffic control license. The aircraft were airworthy. Weather was clear with 15 km visibility, no wind, and temperature 19°C. The collision occurred on the first third of the main runway (1200 x 30 m). The report noted applicable air traffic regulations: pilots must monitor traffic to avoid collisions and overtaking aircraft yield right of way. The tower controller's duties include issuing information to prevent collisions, but pilots retain responsibility see-and-avoid.
Probable Cause
The investigation report did not state a probable cause.