Incident Overview
On July 21, 1966, a Piper Cub L-3 with registration HB-OGH crashed into the treetops of a hillside forest at Schüpfenfluh, located approximately 15 kilometers west of Thun, Switzerland. The aircraft was destroyed by fire following the impact. The pilot, a student aviator, escaped without injury.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The aircraft was owned by Club Neuchâtelois d’aviation in Neuchâtel. It was powered by a Continental C90 8 F engine and featured a Sensenich metal propeller. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 3,910.25 hours since new, while the engine had logged 1,676.41 hours. The pilot was a student born in 1946 with a total flight experience of 29 hours and 30 minutes, including approximately 15 hours as a passenger. He had previously failed his private pilot practical examination due to not meeting minimum requirements.
Flight Operations and Weather
The flight was a navigation exercise planned from Colombier via Birrfeld and Montreux back to Colombier. The student departed Birrfeld at 10:25 local time. Weather conditions included cumulus clouds with bases at 1,800 meters and tops reaching 4,000 meters. Visibility was generally good, ranging from 15 to 20 kilometers, though reduced near cloud bases. The pilot reported a loss of engine power while attempting to cross a ridge approximately 1,580 meters above sea level.
Investigation Findings
The Swiss Federal Accident Investigation Commission concluded that the accident resulted from inappropriate flight tactics and the disregard of basic safety principles. The pilot attempted to cross a high ridge in climbing flight but struck treetops about 200 meters before the crest at an altitude of roughly 1,540 meters. While the pilot reported a power loss, investigators could not definitively determine if a mechanical failure contributed to the situation. The aircraft was found to be airworthy prior to the flight.