Originally Posted by
Flying Bull
Great find! The video is part of the 137-page accident report. It is an official video that simulates and sumamrises in video format the facts and data that the Austrian authorities have found during the extensive investigation. The
Accident Report is illustrated, detailled and clear. However it is in German language, hence the video may be more accessible to many.
In short, the Austrians were showing around a Swiss police colleague, showing in him the lay of the land, seemingly in preparation of an important politicians' gathering in the area. The Swiss policeman was therefore crew, but not a tthe controls. The PIC (4,000 HRS TT, 400 on type; known - as always seem to be the case in such evernts - for his safety-driven and conservative attitude), took the a/c with 4 crew to a low-level 135 KTS flight just meters above the lake. Starting at 1,000 FT above lake level, he put the a/c in a 35 deg nose down attitude, 4,000 FT/min descent, accelerating to 120 KTS. Then reducing vertical descent speed (but not completely levelling out) further increased speed to 135 KTS.
It must have been spectacular. Due to glassy water conditions (all other possible causes were excluded) the PIC misjudegd his height above the water surface and continued to descent until a skid hit the water.
Weather was perfect, no wind (hence classy water surface), between 3,000 and 4,000 FT altitude ASL, OAT 10 deg C. So altitude had apparently nothing to do with the accident.
The a/c had a serviceable RAD ALT installed that seemingly was not consulted during this manoevre.