Accident Summary
On October 26, 1993, at approximately 12:06 local time, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, registration PH-GJD, crashed into trees on the Schwarzchopf hill in the Grauholz region, about 8 km north-northeast of Bern, Switzerland. The aircraft was destroyed, and both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. Significant forest damage occurred, and fuel contaminated the ground.
Flight History
The flight originated from Hilversum, Netherlands, as an instrument flight rules (IFR) plan to Grenchen, Switzerland. The aircraft departed at 09:20 with the pilot and a passenger on board. While cruising at flight level 110 above a stratus layer, the pilot was informed by Zurich ACC that an instrument approach at Grenchen was not possible due to a VOR outage. The controller suggested an option: proceed via Willisau and BIRKI, then continue visually (VFR) to Grenchen, or land at Bern. The pilot chose an ILS approach to Bern-Belp followed by a VFR segment to Grenchen.
After receiving landing clearance from Bern Tower, the pilot announced his intention to break off the approach and proceed VFR to Grenchen. The controller confirmed the pilot had ground contact, and the pilot reported a left turn to the north. Radar data showed the aircraft descending from 3,800 to 2,900 feet before radar contact was lost. A witness near Habstetten observed the aircraft flying low, entering fog, and then hearing engine noise followed by crashing sounds.
The aircraft flew under a high-voltage power line while in fog and struck trees at an elevation of 810 m on the Schwarzchopf. It came to rest inverted in a ravine 200 m from the initial impact point.
Weather
The general weather was characterized by a high-pressure system with Bise wind and high fog (stratus), with a cloud top around 1,800 meters. The accident occurred in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) within fog.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-34-200T (Seneca II) was a twin-engine low-wing aircraft manufactured in 1979. It was equipped with two Continental TSIO-360-E engines and Hartzell controllable-pitch propellers. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate issued by Dutch authorities, considered valid at the time of the accident. Total airframe hours were 3,015. The calculated weight and center of gravity were within limits.
Probable Cause
The accident was attributed to incomplete flight preparation, the pilot's hasty decision to apply an unknown IFR/VFR procedure, and continuation of a VFR flight in IMC.