Accident Sequence
On 24 March 2018, at 15:09 local time, a Maule M-7-235, registered as N561LC, collided with a pedestrian suspension bridge during takeoff from a prepared snow strip at the temporary mountain landing site Isla-Arosa in Arosa, Grisons, Switzerland. The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules on a private flight. The intended destination was unknown.
The aircraft had previously arrived at Isla-Arosa after a flight from Foppa-Churwalden. After landing, the pilot set the flaps to the cruise position of -7°, where they remained. The pilot and passenger attended a fly-in event commemorating 80 years of winter airmail in the Grisons Alps.
At about 15:07, the aircraft left its parking position. To get the aircraft moving, the pilot applied unusually high engine power, assisted by a person pushing on the left wing strut. After a power reduction, the aircraft stopped and resumed only after power was increased again. The pilot then taxied to a takeoff position at the right side of the strip and applied takeoff power. The aircraft accelerated straight along the strip, with the elevator in neutral and the tailwheel remaining on the ground.
Approximately halfway through the marked area, the aircraft passed over several uneven sections of the snow surface. The pilot progressively pulled the elevator to the full aft position and held it there for the remainder of the takeoff roll. One bump caused the right cabin door latch to release, opening the door a crack.
After passing the last markers on the strip, the aircraft veered noticeably to the right. The skis contacted the snow only intermittently, leaving faint tracks. The tailwheel continued to strike the snow surface, creating snow spray in the propeller wash.
After a takeoff roll of about 600 meters and 26 seconds, the skis made hard contact with rising terrain approximately 15 meters before the suspension bridge. The aircraft abruptly became airborne and immediately collided with the bridge. The engine separated from the fuselage and came to rest. The wreckage hung on the bridge's support cables, with the tail touching the ground.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Maule M-7-235, a single-engine tailwheel aircraft equipped with skis. It was privately owned and operated. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1945, held a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL(A)) with a Class 2 medical certificate. His total flight experience was 1812 hours and 27 minutes, with 162 hours and 19 minutes on the accident type.
Location and Conditions
The accident occurred at an elevation of 1615 meters above mean sea level (5300 ft). The prepared snow surface was compact and uniformly groomed, with an estimated slope of 3% over the entire length. The marked landing strip was approximately 450 meters long, while the total available strip length was stated as 550 meters. The takeoff distance to the bridge was about 620 meters. Snow conditions were described as excellent, with high load-bearing capacity. The flight director station and spectator area were situated about 90 meters north of the bridge.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants—the pilot and a passenger seated in the right seat—sustained fatal injuries from the impact. A fire broke out and was quickly contained by firefighters who happened to be present. The aircraft was destroyed and exhibited fire damage in the forward cabin area. The pedestrian suspension bridge over the Welschtobelbach was severely damaged and had to be cut apart to recover the wreckage. No other persons were injured.