Accident Overview
On Saturday, 1 July 1961, at 1042 MEZ, a Piper J3C HB-OXC departed from Bad Ragaz airfield on a training flight with two occupants: a pilot (born 1918) and a minor passenger (born 1944). The weather was good with calm conditions over the lake. The aircraft flew westward over the center of the Walensee, gradually descending. Near Quinten, at an altitude below 200 m above ground and about 150 m from the steep north shore, the aircraft turned left over the lake, lost height, and after approximately 180° of turn, struck the water surface with the engine still running. The aircraft sank with both occupants trapped inside.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that the pilot had a tendency to fly at minimum speeds, including during critical phases such as takeoff and landing approaches, despite warnings from fellow pilots. His total flying experience was 113 hours and 29 minutes. The aircraft, a Piper J3C serial number 8136 with a Continental A65-A engine (65 hp), had no pre-impact technical defects. The stall speed with two occupants was about 40 mph, and the minimum speed marker on the aircraft was set at 54 mph. The water surface was calm but slightly disturbed by a motorboat. The accident occurred at coordinates 732.725/221.100, where the lake depth exceeded 100 m.
Probable Cause
The commission unanimously concluded that the accident was highly probably caused by the pilot losing control of the aircraft due to a stall after descending below the prescribed minimum altitude, leading to impact with the water.