Casualties unknown

Jodel D11 (Uetz) HB-SUY Accident at Speck-Fehraltorf

Speck-Fehraltorf Flugplatz (LSZK), ZH, CH

On August 23, 2010, a WALTER UETZ, FLUGZEUGBAU JODEL D 11 (registration HB-SUY) was involved in an aviation accident near Speck-Fehraltorf Flugplatz (LSZK), ZH, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was due to a collision with the terrain following a loss of control during a short final approach while recovering from a slip. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).

Sourcesthe Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

On 24 August 2010, a Jodel D11 (Uetz) HB-SUY crashed during a training flight at Speck-Fehraltorf. The aircraft lost control during a short final approach and collided with the terrain. Both occupants were uninjured.

Overview and Aircraft Details On 24 August 2010, a Jodel D11 (Uetz) with registration HB-SUY was involved in an accident at Flugplatz Speck-Fehraltorf in the municipality of Fehraltorf, Canton of Zurich. The aircraft was privately owned and operated under a usage agreement with the Flugsportgruppe Zürich-Oberland (FGZO) for training purposes. The flight was a private VFR training exercise conducted by the FGZO flight school, which is part of the Swiss Pilot School Association (SwissPSA) flight training organization. ## Flight Details and Personnel The flight departed from runway 30 at 15:50 local time. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and a student pilot. The instructor held an ATPL(A) license and had 11,883 total flight hours, including 204 hours on the accident type. The student pilot held a trainee (A) license and had 27:10 total flight hours, all on the accident type. The flight included aerodynamic demonstrations and emergency landing exercises with simulated engine failure. ## Accident Sequence During the final approach to runway 30, the student pilot initiated a right slip to maintain visual contact with the airfield office. The instructor reported that the slip was unstable and took control with the command 'my controls' to initiate a go-around at an estimated altitude of 15 meters above ground. Despite applying full power, the aircraft continued to descend. The left wing made first contact with the ground outside the left runway boundary, followed by the left main gear, tail wheel, and right main gear. The aircraft rolled 250 meters and came to rest in tall grass left of the runway. ## Meteorological Conditions At the time of the accident, the weather included 1/8 clouds at 4,000 ft AMSL, 3/8 at 5,000 ft AMSL, and 6/8 at 22,000 ft AMSL. Visibility was approximately 25 km. The wind was from the west-northwest at 15 kt with gusts up to 30 kt. A cold front had passed over the region earlier in the day, bringing cooler Atlantic air and increasing atmospheric stability. ## Damage and Injuries The aircraft sustained heavy damage, with the left wing spar broken. Both the flight instructor and student pilot were uninjured. There was no third-party damage. The aircraft was subsequently taxied to the hangar under its own power after the engine was restarted.

Probable cause

The accident was due to a collision with the terrain following a loss of control during a short final approach while recovering from a slip. Inadequate planning and execution of an emergency landing exercise in the prevailing weather conditions contributed to the accident.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/2105.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.