What happened
On May 19, 2010, a Cessna Reims Aviation FRA150L, registration HB-CWI, was conducting a private VFR flight in the Jura Vaudois region of Switzerland. The flight departed from Môtiers aerodrome with a pilot and one passenger. The aircraft was flying a route that included traversing the terrain near the Aiguilles de Baulmes, with the pilot intending to fly at a low altitude through the Col de l’Aiguillon.
As the aircraft approached the pass, which sits at 1,320 meters, the pilot attempted to follow the rising terrain in a climbing maneuver. However, the aircraft failed to gain sufficient altitude and struck the treetops. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate and strike the ground, after which a fire broke out. The passenger sustained light injuries and managed to escape the wreckage, but the pilot was rendered unconscious and trapped by the dashboard. The pilot subsequently died due to smoke inhalation from the resulting fire.
The investigation
SESA examined the wreckage, engine components, and flight data. Technical inspections of the engine and flight controls revealed no mechanical failures; notably, damage to the propeller indicated that the engine was producing power at the moment of impact. The investigation also reviewed meteorological conditions, noting the presence of orographic turbulence on the southwest side of the pass due to north-east winds.
Medical examinations and autopsies provided critical insights into the human factors involved. The investigation established that the pilot was undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic tumor disease and was using a potent opioid analgesic. This medical information had not been disclosed to the aviation authorities during the pilot's recent medical certification process.