Piper crash with three fatalities due to unsuitable flight tactics
Published: Monday, Nov 20th 2023, 12:21
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According to the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (Sust), the crash of a small plane with three fatalities on the Sanetsch Pass six years ago was due to unsuitable flight tactics in the mountains. The Piper was flying at too low an altitude and collided with the terrain.
The investigation revealed that the pilot, who had taken off from Sion, had flown too low into the valley and never reached the altitude required to fly over the Sanetsch Pass. This is according to the final report published on Monday by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (Sust).
The question arises as to what extent the pilot was aware of the minimum altitude for crossing the pass. According to Sust, there were no technical defects in the aircraft. The pilot also had no health impairments. In addition, there were no weather restrictions in the area at the time of the accident.
The Piper Warrior II took off from Sion in the early afternoon of August 20, 2017. Several eyewitnesses then observed the aircraft flying at low altitude on course for the Sanetsch Pass. Shortly after colliding with the terrain at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level, a fire broke out. The pilot and the two passengers died in the accident. The plane had been on its way to Biel-Kappelen airfield.
Helicopter tilted to one side
Poor visibility played a role in the failed landing of a helicopter on the Petersgrat mountain landing site in Valais in May 2017. The accident was due to the pilot's decision to attempt a landing in diffuse and low-contrast light conditions over a referenceless snow cover.
This is what Sust writes in its final report on this accident, which was also published on Monday.
According to passenger reports, the helicopter swayed heavily on all axes during the landing phase. Snow was whirled up and the landing gear touched the snow cover, causing the helicopter to tip onto its left side. The rotor blades hit the cabin roof. The pilot sustained fatal injuries to his head. Three passengers were slightly injured.
©Keystone/SDA
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