Introduction
On Saturday, 17 May 1980, at approximately 1145 local time (GMT+1), the pilot departed from Samedan airfield with one passenger on board the Piper PA-28-200 Arrow, registration D-ECMH. The intended flight was a visual flight to Karlsruhe, West Germany.
Flight History
The pilot and passenger had arrived at the airfield at 1045. After refueling, the pilot filed a VFR flight plan to Karlsruhe via Chur, with an estimated flight time of 2 hours. The pilot indicated he had obtained a weather briefing by telephone from his hotel. The airfield manager advised him to remain on the Samedan frequency while in the Engadin valley.
After takeoff from runway 03, the aircraft initially flew down the valley, then turned back and climbed over the airfield at about 600 m above ground in the center of the valley. The airfield manager observed the aircraft disappear into haze between St. Moritz and Champfèr at about 900 m above ground.
One witness on the Julierstrasse reported hearing an aircraft engine between 1130 and 1200, with the sound growing louder and then abruptly ceasing. Another witness, skiing from Piz d'Agnel to the Fuorcla d'Agnel, heard engine noise at approximately 2800 m ASL, just above the cloud layer (base about 2400 m ASL), and also noted a sudden end to the sound. Both witnesses could not see the aircraft.
The exact flight path after St. Moritz is unknown, but the accident occurred at 1200, as indicated by the pilot's stopped watch, at an elevation of 2500 m ASL on the eastern side of Val d'Agnel. Coordinates: 775.400/150.225.
Wreckage and Impact
The aircraft was destroyed upon impact. It was not equipped with an emergency locator transmitter (ELT). A search was initiated when the aircraft did not arrive at Karlsruhe, involving helicopters from Swiss and German rescue services and the Swiss Air Force. The wreckage was found one week later by a skier after the snow cover melted due to prolonged sun exposure.
Weather
Aerodrome weather forecasts available at Samedan indicated that Alpine passes were partly in clouds. The GAFOR forecast for the route Samedan - Julier - Lenzerheide - Ragaz was classified as 'closed' (meaning VFR flight was not recommended) for the periods 06-12 and 12-18 Z. The duty weather forecaster at Zurich Airport recalled that multiple telephone briefings for VFR flights to and from Samedan were provided that day, and that all advice recommended against flying over the Julier Pass.
A mountain guide who was skiing in the area shortly before the accident reported that at about 2700 m ASL he entered fog, and below 2400 m ASL he emerged below the cloud deck. The slopes of Val d'Agnel were partly in clouds below that height.
Probable Cause
The accident was attributed to the pilot entering clouds over a mountain pass and subsequently colliding with a mountainside.