Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Husky A 1, registered HB-KEK, privately owned and operated. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1952, held a valid EASA Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) issued by the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (BAZL). His total flight experience was 1756 hours and 18 minutes, including 291 hours on the accident type. In the 90 days preceding the event, he had flown 65 hours and 15 minutes, with 56 hours on the Husky A 1.
Accident Details
The accident occurred on 17 March 2017 at approximately 12:00 local time (UTC+1) on the Theodulgletscher mountain airstrip (LSYT) in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The flight was conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and operated as a private flight departing from and intending to return to Sitten Airport (LSGS). The landing phase was classified as a loss of control. The aircraft was heavily damaged, and no third-party damage was reported. The pilot sustained no injuries.
Sequence of Events
According to the investigation report, the pilot had previously abandoned landing attempts on the Ebnefluh, Jungfraujoch, and Alphubel mountain airstrips due to strong turbulence. He then performed a first landing attempt on the Theodulgletscher. During a second approach to the glacier, gusts were encountered, and the landing on the steeply inclined slope was too long. The pilot immediately attempted to initiate a go-around. The takeoff maneuver failed under strong turbulence; the aircraft slid over a snow edge and subsequently came to a stop on the slope.