1979 Bravo AS 202 crash on the Eiger North Face (HB-HEN)

Incident Overview On 22 August 1979, a single-engine Bravo AS 202 with registration HB-HEN departed Grenchen Airport at approximately 0950 local time for a local VFR flight over the Alps. The aircraft was operated by the Segel- und Motorfluggruppe Grenchen. ## Flight and Emergency The pilot filed a flight plan for a one-and-a-half-hour flight with fuel for two hours. At 1048, the aircraft transmitted a Mayday on the Grenchen tower frequency, reporting a jammed rudder and loss of control. The pilot stated he was at the Eiger and losing altitude. ## Impact and Findings At approximately 1050, the aircraft struck the Eiger North Face head-on at an altitude of about 3,600 m. The pilot was killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. No third-party damage occurred. ## Investigation and Cause The investigation found the control cables were intact, but the aileron pushrods showed impact breaks. The pilot had no alcohol, medication, or carbon monoxide influence. The final report concluded that, with high probability, the crash was a suicide.