Incident Overview
On 21 August 1998, a Piper PA-28RT-201T Turbo-Arrow IV (registration D-EDEV) crashed into the Gurnigel area near Lischboden in the Canton of Bern. The aircraft was operated by a private pilot with his wife as a passenger on a flight from Eggenfelden, Germany, to Annemasse, France. Both occupants were killed.
Flight Progression and Loss
The aircraft departed at 0953 local time. During the climb, the pilot requested increased flight levels due to icing conditions. Radar data indicated the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of FL181 with a speed between 95 and 110 knots. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft emerge from clouds in a steep dive, rotating around its longitudinal axis, and shedding parts before impact.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed that control surfaces separated from the fuselage due to overload during the descent. No mechanical defects were found prior to or during the flight. The oxygen system was not installed for this specific flight. Toxicological tests on the occupants excluded alcohol, drugs, or carbon monoxide poisoning. The crash site was located at coordinates 599 824 / 177 182.