What happened
On March 3, 1963, a pilot on military leave conducted a private flight starting from Bern Airport in a C.P.301-S "Smaragd", registration HB-SEC. Accompanied by his wife, the pilot decided to attempt a landing at a military airfield where he was currently performing active duty. Despite having been previously warned by acquaintances that using military airfields for civilian purposes was prohibited, the pilot initiated a descent toward the runway.
During the final approach, the aircraft struck a heavy-duty aircraft arresting net that had been deployed for operations in the opposite direction. The impact was violent; the lower wire of the net passed under the wings and fuselage, while the upper wire struck the windshield, tore through the cockpit roof, and struck the pilot. The aircraft came to an abrupt halt within 39 meters of the impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight plan, the aircraft's condition, and the airfield's configuration. It was established that the pilot had not obtained the required military authorization to fly during his leave. Furthermore, while the pilot had previously served at this specific airfield years prior, he was unfamiliar with the current runway installations, as the arresting net had been recently deployed.
Technical inspections of the C.P.301-S "Smaragd" revealed no mechanical defects; the engine and instruments were fully functional, and the aircraft's weight and balance were within limits. The investigation also noted that a snowblower was operating near the runway threshold at the time, which may have caused a distraction.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to use a military airfield without a compelling reason or proper authorization.
- The pilot was unfamiliar with the specific runway equipment, specifically the presence of the arresting net.
- The pilot failed to notice the net's markings during the approach, likely due to a lack of expectation regarding its presence.
- The collision resulted in the death of the pilot and serious injuries to the passenger.
Safety action
No specific safety recommendations were recorded in the final report, though the investigation highlighted the unauthorized use of military facilities and the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airfield's current operational setup.