What happened
On the evening of March 5, 1970, a CESSNA F 150 K, registration HB-CUS, departed from Sion Airport for a flight following a day of business meetings and social gatherings. The aircraft, operated by FARNER AIR LEAS and carrying a pilot and one passenger, took off at 18:10.
During the approach to the asphalt runway, witnesses observed the aircraft performing a high-speed approach followed by a sudden maneuver involving a climb and a left turn at very low altitude. At approximately 100 meters above the ground, the aircraft's trajectory pitched downward, striking the runway at a 30-degree longitudinal angle. The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's physiological state, and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. Investigators analyzed the wreckage, noting that the left wing was torn from the fuselage and the landing gear had been heavily damaged upon impact. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were found to be within legal limits.
Laboratory analysis of the pilot's body was conducted to determine the presence of any impairing substances. Additionally, the investigation looked into the meteorological conditions, specifically noting the presence of ice and snow on the aircraft's wings, as the plane had been parked outdoors in winter conditions for several days.