What happened
On May 18, 1965, a Cessna 172 Powermatic, registration OE-DCM, crashed into the southern slope of Piz Lizun in the Upper Bregaglia region. The aircraft was operating a private flight from Aosta, Italy, with the intended destination of Samedlan, Switzerland.
The pilot, accompanied by two passengers, departed Aosta at 11:22 AM. During the flight, the aircraft was observed by witnesses flying low along the valley floor. Near Vicosoprano, the aircraft performed a large left turn before turning southwest and climbing. Witnesses noted the aircraft disappeared into clouds during these maneuvers. Shortly after, the aircraft turned northeast toward the mountain slope and disappeared into the cloud layer again. The aircraft struck the terrain at approximately 12:56 PM, resulting in three fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's flight history, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's experience. The investigation established that the aircraft had previously flown from Salzburg to Nice, with a stop in Aosta. On the morning of the accident, the pilot prepared for the flight from Aosta to Samedan without refueling the aircraft, leaving only about two hours of fuel available.
Analysis of the wreckage indicated that the Cessna 172 struck the slope in a nearly horizontal and level flight attitude, with the landing flaps retracted and the propeller rotating rapidly at the moment of impact. Meteorological data confirmed a significant south-stau weather pattern with moderate foehn winds, characterized by low stratus clouds and intermittent light precipitation, which significantly reduced visibility.
Findings
- The pilot proceeded with an insufficiently prepared flight into weather conditions that no longer permitted safe visual flight rules (VFR).
- The pilot failed to obtain a local weather report for Samedan prior to departure from Aosta, leading to a critical lack of information regarding the deteriorating conditions in the Bregaglia/Engadin area.
- The pilot's limited flight experience was insufficient for navigating the complex and uncertain weather conditions of an Alpine flight.
- The decision to continue the flight was likely pressured by dwindling fuel reserves, as the pilot had not refueled in Aosta, leaving very little margin for error.