Aircraft and Crew
The accident aircraft was a Piper Cherokee Warrior PA-28-151, registration EC-CUB, operated by Real Aeroclub de Avila y Sanchidrian (Spain). The pilot held a private pilot license issued by Spanish authorities, with 180 total flight hours, including 112 hours on type. A commercial pilot and VFR day flight instructor accompanied the pilot.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Bergamo, Italy, at 07:27 GMT on 9 September 1976, bound for Geneva. The filed flight plan indicated a duration of 2 hours 30 minutes. The route crossed the Alps, and the pilot experienced significant navigation difficulties. Radio communications with Geneva Information from 08:59 GMT revealed the pilot struggled to report positions and understand instructions. The aircraft flew above or between cloud layers within the Geneva Terminal Control Area, unable to maintain visual contact with the ground.
Sequence of Events
At 10:59 GMT, while near Versoix, the pilot reported the runway in sight and was cleared for a direct approach to Runway 23. Approximately 1 km from the threshold, shortly before crossing the highway, the engine malfunctioned with several misfires. Attempts to restart failed. The pilot turned right about 45° toward a plowed field near the Colovrex radio station antennas. The aircraft struck a 40–50 cm high embankment at the field entrance at 11:04 GMT, bounced, and came to rest 108 m from the initial impact. The left landing gear leg was torn off; the aircraft sustained severe damage including the left wing destroyed, nose wheel and propeller damaged, and cowling and fuselage deformed.
Investigation Findings
Fuel examination revealed both tanks contained only 0.8 liters of fuel total. The fuel supply line and carburetor bowl were empty; the fuel filter was clean. At departure from Bergamo, tanks held 135–140 liters. The actual flight duration was 3 hours 37 minutes, exceeding the planned 2 hours 30 minutes by over an hour. No pre-existing mechanical defects were found. The weather at the time included rain showers, 8 km visibility, cloud layers at 2000 ft and 4000 ft, and southwest wind gusts up to 25 kt. The route weather forecast provided at Bergamo had indicated VFR conditions with 10 km visibility and scattered clouds.
Probable Cause
Unsuccessful forced landing due to fuel exhaustion at low altitude. Navigation errors and the crew's limited alpine flying experience contributed to the accident.