TBM940 Crash into Lake Lucerne Ended in Landing Gear Failure

Switzerland's safety investigation authority SUST has published its final report on the 28 July 2025 crash of a Daher TBM940 into Lake Lucerne, near Buochs. The aircraft, registered D-FSAM, had just taken off from Buochs airfield bound for an international flight. On board were a 78-year-old Austrian pilot and a 55-year-old Swiss passenger.

Shortly after liftoff, a warning light indicated an unsafe landing gear position. The experienced pilot elected to return to Buochs. Weather was poor, with a north föhn situation causing heavy rain and low visibility. Flying under visual flight rules, the aircraft descended while over the lake. Three minutes after departure, it struck the water.

The wreckage was located a week later in 100 metres of water and recovered on 26 August 2025. Recovery costs, expected to be in the low six-figure range, were to be borne by the owner or their insurer.

SUST's investigation found that the pilot's attention was divided between the landing gear issue and the challenging weather. The aircraft's low altitude over the lake left no room to recover. The report does not assign blame but details the sequence of events leading to the impact.