What happened
On May 7, 1962, a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, registration HB-ORC, departed from Bern to perform a transport mission at the Jungfraujoch glacier landing site. The flight was part of a commercial operation for Alpar Flug- und Flugplatzgesellschaft A.G. A second aircraft had landed successfully at the site just prior to the arrival of HB-ORC.
As the pilot approached the landing area, visibility was significantly reduced due to diffuse lighting and fog. The pilot, who had never previously landed at this specific location, attempted to use the tracks left by the preceding aircraft as a visual guide. However, due to the undulating terrain, the pilot lost sight of these tracks. The aircraft touched the ground earlier than intended while transitioning between the approach slope and the landing area. Following this initial contact, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the aircraft to strike the snow again with its left ski and wingtip, resulting in a capsize.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the aircraft's mechanical condition, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. The pilot possessed approximately 500 total flight hours, with significant recent experience in glacier landings, though the Jungfraujoch site was unfamiliar to him. The aircraft, a Piper PA-18, was found to be in good mechanical condition with no technical defects contributing to the event. The investigation also reviewed the weather conditions at the Sphinx station, noting low visibility (50-200 meters) and gusty winds.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the approach, setting the aircraft too low during the initial landing attempt.
- Diffuse lighting and terrain features caused the pilot to lose visual reference to the landing marks left by the previous aircraft.
- The presence of gusty winds contributed to the loss of control after the initial ground contact.
- The pilot's lack of specific experience at the Jungfraujoch landing site made it difficult to manage the challenging terrain and lighting conditions.