SA 45: Preparation for flying through mountain passes
In the course of the safety investigation concerning the accident involving the aircraft PA-28RT-201, G-BVDH at Simplon Pass the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) identified a safety deficit and issued safety advice N° 45 in its final report no. 2383.
Target group(s)
General aviation operators in Europe
Safety Advice N° 45
General aviation operators in Europe should emphasise the dangers of navigating through mountain passes and adapt flight tactics according to the predefined flight plan. For mountain flights, many recommendations on safety measures such as flight tactics, flight plan and equipment can be found in the VFR manual under rules of the air and air traffic services (RAC) 4-5-2, 4-5-3.
Safety deficit
During a private flight by a foreign-registered aircraft, the four-seater aircraft en-tered the valley leading to the Simplon Pass through Brig at an altitude of 2200 ft below the minimum safe altitude for flying through the pass. The flight continued with a low rate of climb and a nose-up attitude throughout the approach to the pass.
The pilot did not notice that the plane's speed was decreasing while he was busy navigating with his electronic tablet. The Simplon Pass was on his right when the aircraft eventually stalled.
The collision with the mountainside occurred at an altitude of 7364 ft AMSL; the pass was at an altitude of 6578 ft AMSL.The three occupants were fatally injured, and a post-impact fire broke out.
The investigation determined that preparations were made for the flight with the aid of an electronic tablet and that the pilot followed the path of his tablet during the approach to the Simplon Pass.