What happened
On May 22, 1972, a Morane MS 880 B, registration D-ECCJ, was conducting a flight from Altenrhein to Samedan with two passengers on board. The flight, operated by a pilot with a private license, proceeded normally until the aircraft reached the area north of Chur, where the pilot encountered turbulence.
As the aircraft continued toward Lenzerheide, the pilot attempted to fly directly over a mountain pass situated at 1,550 meters. While passing over Churwalden, the aircraft encountered downdulations. The pilot failed to realize in time that the aircraft lacked the necessary performance to clear the upcoming ridge. At approximately 12:10, the aircraft struck an upward-sloping meadow near Parpan at a steep angle. The impact caused the nose gear to collapse, and the aircraft came to a halt after sliding a short distance.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's mechanical condition and the pilot's flight profile. The inquiry confirmed that there were no pre-existing mechanical defects on the Morane MS 880 B that contributed to the accident. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the environmental conditions, specifically the encounter with turbulence and the terrain elevation.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's decision to continue the flight at an insufficient altitude over rising terrain.
- The pilot possessed limited experience in mountain flying, with only 56 total flight hours and 50 hours on this specific aircraft type.
- The pilot failed to recognize that the aircraft's climb performance was inadequate to clear the pass given the terrain and atmospheric conditions.
- All zero fatalities were reported, and the two passengers remained uninjured, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.