What happened
On the morning of April 9, 1965, a pilot departed from Ascona airfield, intending to fly to Geneva via the Simplon Pass. The flight was originally planned for the previous day but had been delayed due to poor weather in the Valais region. After departing at 09:24, the aircraft was observed flying near Camedo at approximately 09:30. At 09:45, the sound of an aircraft engine was heard through dense fog near the Simplon Pass, but the aircraft subsequently disappeared.
Following the aircraft being reported overdue, a search operation involving French and Italian services was initiated. The wreckage was not located until April 30, found approximately four kilometers west of the Simplon at the Bistinen Pass. The pilot's body was recovered from the debris the following day.
The investigation
An investigation was launched in May 1965 following the discovery of the wreckage. Due to heavy snow, the initial inspection took place on-site, with a second examination conducted in July after the snow had melted. Investigators examined the wreckage, which included the fuselage, wings, and tail, noting that the engine and propeller had been significantly impacted. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's extensive flight experience, which included over 800 hours of flight time and significant mountain flying experience, as well as the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft, a Beechcraft B-35 Bonanza with registration HB-ECW, was destroyed upon impact.
- The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
- At the time of the accident, the region was experiencing a north-stau weather pattern, characterized by heavy cloud cover and fog at the Simplon Pass.
- The investigation determined that the pilot likely continued the flight into weather conditions that no longer permitted safe visual flight.
- It is suspected that the pilot either lost visual contact with the ground while flying through a fog bank or flew too close to the snow-covered terrain while attempting to stay below the cloud ceiling.