What happened
On April 10, 1969, a Jodel D-II, registration HB-SUV, was conducting a private training flight from Colombier to Speck-Fehraltorf. The flight, which included the pilot and his son as a passenger, proceeded normally until the return leg. As the aircraft approached the Speck-Fehraltorf airfield, the pilot encountered local turbulence and decided to deviate from his usual approach pattern. Due to ongoing leveling works at the end of the airfield, the available runway length had been reduced to approximately 400 meters.
During the final approach, the pilot attempted a technique known as a "dragging landing," intending to fly at an altitude of only 2 to 3 meters approximately 150 meters before the runway threshold. While attempting to maintain a speed of 100–105 km/h, the aircraft experienced a sudden sink rate. Despite immediate corrective actions involving increased power and back-pressure on the controls, the aircraft struck the soft ground of a field just before the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to decelerate violently and subsequently capsize. Both occupants escaped the accident uninjured, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was aware of the reduced runway availability and the ongoing maintenance work at the airfield. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits, and the aircraft was in good condition following its last inspection. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision to fly an unusually low approach and the impact of the terrain conditions on the aircraft's stability during the landing attempt.