Risky visual flight led to plane crash on the Säntis massif
Published: Friday, Nov 24th 2023, 15:30
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The crash of a small aircraft on the Säntis massif in March 2022 is due to human error. This is according to a report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (Sust). The plane crashed on the cloud-covered Grüehorn.
In very poor visibility conditions, the pilot was apparently not sufficiently aware that there was ascending terrain ahead of him, according to a final report published by Sust on Friday. The 63-year-old still initiated the climb. Nevertheless, he crashed with the "Cessna 208 Caravan" on the northern flank of the Grüehorn on the Säntis massif and was killed.
"The accident in which the aircraft collided with the terrain was due to the continuation of a visual flight under instrument weather conditions," the investigation report states. This is associated with considerable risks and repeatedly leads to fatal flight accidents. There were no indications of technical defects.
The pilot was alone on board. He was on his way from Siegerland (Germany) to Tuscany (Italy). According to the report, the accident site is 2073 meters above sea level. The wreckage was spread over an area of around one kilometer in length and varying heights of around 700 meters in steep and impassable terrain.
©Keystone/SDA
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