What happened
On February 14, 2002, a Beech Super King Air 300LW, registration D-ICBC, crashed into the rising terrain of the Sarsura Glacier near Samedan, Switzerland. The aircraft, operated by a Polish subsidiary of Kronospan GmbH, had departed from Poznan-Lawica, Poland, for a flight to Samedan.
Initially flying under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), the crew transitioned to Visual Flight Rules (VFR) as they approached the destination. While descending toward the extension of runway 21 at Samedan, the aircraft struck the glacier at an altitude of approximately 9,640 feet AMSL. The impact resulted in two fatalities, as both pilots were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight records, radar data, and the wreckage recovered from the accident site. The investigation established that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits at the time of the accident. Technical inspections of the engines and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing defects that could have contributed to the crash.
Crucially, the investigation found that the crew lacked essential VFR documentation for the Samedan area. No ICAO charts or specific Samedan visual approach charts were found on board; the crew only possessed a general vicinity chart that did not even include the accident location. Furthermore, there was no evidence that the crew had prior experience flying into Samedan, which requires specialized mountain flying skills.
Findings
- The crew experienced a loss of spatial orientation during the VFR approach.
- The flight was conducted under critical weather conditions, characterized by low visibility and snow showers in the mountains.
- The crew employed an inadequate flight tactic by descending into unfamiliar terrain without proper visual references or updated weather information.
- The lack of appropriate aeronautical charts prevented the crew from recognizing that their descent path intersected with high-altitude terrain.