What happened
On March 6, 2005, at 11:25 AM, a Pierre Robin DR 400/180, registration D-ERAD, departed from runway 21 at Samedan Airport. The flight was intended to travel from Switzerland to Schönhagen, Germany, carrying the pilot and three passengers. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft deviated from the published departure pattern, flying along the extended runway axis toward St. Moritz instead of following the prescribed 90-degree right turn and subsequent 180-degree left turn.
As the terrain rose, the pilot requested permission to turn left to gain altitude. While attempting to navigate the valley, the pilot encountered rising terrain and entered the Bernina Valley. In an attempt to improve climb performance, the pilot deployed the flaps to the second notch, which actually degraded the climb rate. While attempting a turning maneuver near the Diavolezza cable car station, the pilot aborted the turn due to fear of striking high-voltage power lines. This maneuver sent the aircraft into the narrow Val da Fain. The aircraft's right main landing gear struck a snowy slope, and the plane eventually struck a rocky crest, coming to a halt in deep snow. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the three passengers remained uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight preparation, the aircraft's weight and balance, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators found that the pilot had not consulted all available meteorological information, such as NOTAMs or GAFOR, and relied on internet weather reports from a hotel. The flight plan submitted via the ATC system included a route via the Julier Pass that was not flyable due to heavy cloud cover and low visibility.
Technical analysis of the D-ERAD revealed that the engine was functioning correctly and provided expected power. However, the aircraft's takeoff mass was 1159 kg, which exceeded the maximum allowable takeoff mass of 1100 kg. Additionally, the center of gravity was found to be at 0.569 m, which was beyond the permitted limit of 0.564 m. No mechanical failures were identified as the cause of the crash.