What happened
On July 6, 1964, a Stinson 108-2 "Voyager", registered as HB-TUR, was involved in an accident during its landing phase at the Bern-Belpmoos airport. Following the touchdown, the aircraft experienced a sudden excursion from the runway. The impact of the event resulted in no injuries to the occupants, though the airframe sustained heavy damage, estimated at approximately 40 percent of its total value.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the aircraft's movement immediately after landing. The inquiry focused on the aircraft's trajectory and the mechanical response of the landing gear during the excursion. The investigation established that the aircraft's path deviated significantly from the intended landing centerline.
Findings
Technical analysis suggests that the aircraft likely drifted to the right due to the influence of crosswinds during the landing roll. This lateral movement caused the landing gear to collapse, leading to the substantial structural damage observed on the Stinson 108-2.