1976 Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee Accident at Mont-Tendre, Switzerland (G-AXTN)

Flight Details and Accident Sequence On July 31, 1976, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-AXTN, departed Southend, United Kingdom, at 1245 GMT with two pilots and two passengers aboard. The flight was planned to Nice, France, with stops at Troyes and Sion. After refueling at Troyes, the aircraft departed at 1642 GMT. The crew requested and received permission to climb to 4,500 feet while maintaining visual conditions. Around 1803 GMT, the aircraft overflew Lake Joux at 5,000 feet QNH with intermittent ground visibility. The pilots reported that the terrain rose rapidly and disappeared into clouds. The aircraft impacted terrain at a magnetic heading of 150 degrees, striking trees and a rock. The accident occurred at 1805 GMT, 350 meters west of Mont-Tendre and 100 meters below the summit, at an altitude of 5,200 feet QNH. ## Findings and Probable Causes The investigation found no technical anomalies, and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits. Both pilots held valid private pilot licenses issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, London. The pilot in the left seat had 47:35 hours of total experience, while the pilot in the right seat had 140 hours, including 40 hours on the PA-28-140. The investigation determined that the flight was not adequately prepared for mountainous terrain, as the chart clearly indicated Mont-Tendre at 5,520 feet. The crew continued a visual flight rules operation into deteriorating weather conditions. The probable causes were insufficient flight preparation and lack of foresight in continuing a VFR flight in unfavorable meteorological conditions. The pilots' limited experience and insufficient training contributed to the accident.