What happened
On May 3, 2000, a private pilot operating a Reims Aviation F152, registration HB-CIM, was conducting a VFR flight through the Swiss Alps. After an unscheduled stop at Triengen, the pilot continued toward Locarno, flying through the Schöllenen Gorge and over Andermatt at an estimated altitude of 2,200 meters.
As the aircraft entered the narrow Brüggloch valley, the terrain rose sharply. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a very low altitude, near high-voltage power lines. While navigating the constricted terrain, the aircraft struck the rocky, snow-covered ground at approximately 1,954 meters. The impact resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft. The wreckage was located by a helicopter crew after the aircraft's ELT signal was detected.
The investigation
SUST examined the flight logs, meteorological data, and the wreckage of the Reims Aviation F152. Investigators analyzed the engine performance, noting that the Lycoming O-235 engine produces significantly less power at 2,200 meters than at sea level. Eyewitness accounts from various locations near Andermatt confirmed the aircraft was flying low and straight before the accident.
Technical analysis of the engine showed that the motor was running at high power at the moment of impact, experiencing a sudden stoppage due to the propeller hitting the ground. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight preparation, noting that while the pilot had a valid license, his recent flight experience was limited, and he had not completed required check flights.