What happened
On the night of July 16, 1977, a Cessna 182 (registration D-EHBF) departed Stuttgart, Germany, bound for Geneva, Switzerland. The flight, which included two pilots and one passenger, was originally planned as a night VFR flight. However, due to deteriorating visibility near Geneva, the crew transitioned to instrument flight rules (IFR) to complete the journey.
While navigating through the Swiss airspace, the aircraft encountered icing conditions between the Willisau and Fribourg VOR stations. Although the crew descended to a lower altitude to mitigate the icing, the aircraft continued through instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). While on an instrument approach to Geneva, the aircraft disappeared from radar. Witnesses near the Rolle-Buchillon area observed the aircraft descending almost vertically in a longitudinal roll. Just before hitting the water, the aircraft appeared to pull up and pitch, but the pilot lost control, and the plane plunged into Lake Geneva. The impact resulted in three fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight planning, the crew's licenses, and the aircraft's technical state. It was determined that while the aircraft had recently been equipped with new avionics for IFR flight, the crew lacked the necessary qualifications. The investigation also reviewed radio communications between the crew and air traffic controllers in Stuttgart, Zurich, and Geneva, as well as witness accounts of the final moments of the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pursuit of a night VFR flight under IFR procedures within IMC conditions by pilots lacking the required training.
- One pilot held a private license with night and C-VFR extensions but was not authorized for IFR operations.
- The second pilot was authorized for night and C-VFR flights but lacked the specific training required for IFR flight.
- The aircraft was not equipped with any de-icing systems, and the crew encountered icing at flight level 110.
- The loss of control likely occurred during the transition from cruise to the instrument approach, potentially due to an unintentional loss of attitude reference or a failure of the artificial horizon.
- The engine remained operational until the moment of impact.