What happened
On June 6, 1963, a C.P.301-S Smaragd, registration D-EFUG, was conducting a private flight from Germany to Italy when it crashed near the Samedan airport in Switzerland. The flight, which included a pilot and one passenger, approached runway 03 without performing a prior reconnaissance circuit. Due to a prevailing tailwind, the aircraft landed too far down the runway, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around.
During the climb, the pilot spotted a high-voltage power line to the right. Misjudging the line's path, the pilot mistakenly believed the wires crossed his flight path. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the pilot initiated a turning maneuver at an altitude of approximately 40 meters. This maneuver caused the aircraft to stall and crash roughly 600 meters north of the runway end. Both occupants sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The investigation examined several contributing factors, including the aircraft's technical condition, the pilot's experience, and the ground organization at Samedan. The investigation found no technical defects in the C.P.301-S Smaragd. It was noted that the pilot had limited experience operating in high-altitude mountain airports.
Investigators also scrutinized the communication of flight information. A breakdown in ground procedures was identified: a flight notification sent from Zurich to Samedan failed to reach the correct local authority due to a misdirected telephone call. Additionally, the investigation looked into the accuracy of aeronautical charts and NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) regarding local obstacles, such as power lines and construction zones.
Findings
Several critical factors contributed to the accident:
- Misjudgment of obstacles: The primary cause was the pilot's incorrect assessment of the power line's trajectory, leading to an unnecessary and dangerous evasive turn.
- Aerodynamic instability: The risk of the stall was increased because the pilot retracted the flaps during the turn, which reduced lift and increased the angle of attack.
- Inadequate situational awareness: The pilot failed to recognize the wind direction from the windsock and the landing 'T' markings, and did not perform a reconnaissance circuit to identify local hazards.
- Information failures: Errors in the preparation of NOTAMs and inaccuracies in the 'Aero-Almanach' regarding the location of power lines contributed to the pilot's lack of awareness regarding ground obstacles.
- Communication breakdown: The flight plan was not properly received by the relevant personnel at Samedan due to errors in the telephone relay process between the Zurich control center and the airport.