Accident Overview
On 29 September 1968, a Piper J3C aircraft, registration HB-ODG, crashed near the farm Les Côtes in Bourrignon, canton of Bern, Switzerland. The pilot and his passenger, who were brothers, were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Flight Timeline
The pilot and his brother left their parents' home around 0830 hours, informing them they would fly over the house upon return. They arrived at Porrentruy airfield around 0900 hours. The pilot informed a club instructor of his intention to conduct a local training flight with his brother. The instructor assigned the Piper HB-ODG and requested the pilot return by 1100 hours as the aircraft was reserved for instruction afterward.
The pilot performed pre-flight checks while the instructor fueled the aircraft. After engine start and taxi, the pilot performed a magneto check and departed at 0951 hours. The instructor observed a normal takeoff.
Around 1045 hours, witnesses observed the Piper approaching from the west at low altitude toward Les Ordons. The pilot's mother and sister-in-law heard the aircraft and went outside. The sister-in-law saw the aircraft pass at low height directly over the farm, heading west. Immediately after, they heard a crash and found the aircraft wrecked a few dozen meters from the farm.
Aircraft and Engine Details
The Piper J3C was a high-wing, strut-braced monoplane with tandem seating, fixed tailwheel landing gear, and a Continental C-45 engine (63 hp) driving a fixed-pitch Merville two-bladed propeller. The airframe had accumulated 4893 hours total time, with 2772 hours since its last major overhaul on 14 June 1937. The engine's total time was unknown, with 477 hours since its last major overhaul on 20 September 1965. The propeller had 261 hours since installation on 4 November 1967.
The aircraft's last periodic inspection was on 18 June 1968, with 100-hour and 33-hour checks on 14 August and 18 September 1968, respectively. The inspector rated the aircraft's general condition as sufficient. Weight and center of gravity were within limits at approximately 330 kg (max 369 kg).
Accident Site and Damage
The crash site was at coordinates 585.460/248.250, elevation 905 m, on a rural path about 60 m from the west facade of the farm. The aircraft impacted near an 18 m tall ash tree, which it brushed during descent. The wreckage lay across the path with the nose facing north. The forward fuselage was partially crushed and bent at the middle. The right wing was destroyed; the left wing was slightly bent forward. The engine was attached by deformed tubing. Both propeller blades were broken. No fire occurred. Fuel from the 45-liter tank leaked into a roadside ditch.
Switches and controls: fuel valve open; injection pump locked; ignition key in position 1+2; stabilizer set for cruise; altimeter set to Porrentruy QFE; airspeed indicator marked with minimum speed 85 km/h (stall speed measured at 78 km/h). The passenger seat was equipped for dual control. A Super 8 camera found near the wreckage belonged to the brothers; its partially exposed film was analyzed.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time, weather was influenced by a low-pressure system over Scotland and Iceland, with westerly winds. In the accident area: total cloud cover 4/8 (2/8 cumulus with base at 1200 m); no precipitation; visibility 30 km; calm early morning wind becoming southwest at 10 knots average, gusting 15-20 knots by midday; temperature 11°C, humidity 60%; light turbulence, moderate near terrain by midday; barometric pressure 6 mb above standard, falling; sun elevation 37°, azimuth 155°.
Pilot Experience
The pilot, born 1946, held a private pilot license issued 23 August 1967, valid until 29 June 1969. His flight training began 16 July 1967 on Piper J3C at Porrentruy. He soloed 29 July 1967 after 7.59 hours and 73 landings. He completed training on 19 August 1967 with 30.10 hours and 171 landings, passing his license exam in 0.39 hours and 4 landings. After licensing, he flew local flights on 24 September 1967 (0.30 h), 29 October 1967 (1.07 h), and 12 November 1967 (0.33 h). Total experience: 33.21 hours and 179 landings, mostly in HB-ODG. His qualifications had no special remarks, and his record showed no incidents, accidents, or violations.
Probable Cause
The accident was due to the fact that the inexperienced and poorly trained pilot lost control of the aircraft during maneuvers over the paternal home at a height that presumably precluded any possibility of recovery.