1946 C-53 Skytrooper crash on the Gauli Glacier
A Douglas C-47C Skytrain similar to the accident aircraft | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 November 1946 |
| Summary | Weather related Controlled Flight Into Terrain |
| Site | Gauli Glacier |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Douglas C-53D Skytrooper |
| Operator | United States Air Force (USAF) |
| Registration | 42-68846 |
| Flight origin | Tulln (near Vienna (Austria) |
| Stopover | Munich (Germany) |
| 1st stopover | Strasbourg (France) |
| 2nd stopover | Dijon (France) |
| Last stopover | Marseille-Istres (France) |
| Destination | Pisa (Italy) |
The C-53 Crash on the Gauli Glacier in the Bernese Alps, (Switzerland) on 19 November 1946 was a turning point in alpine rescue and an international media event. The aircraft, coming from Tulln, Austria (near Vienna), bound for Pisa, Italy, collided with the Gauli Glacier in poor visibility. On board were eight passengers, among them two high-ranking officers of the U.S. armed forces, four women, and one 11-year-old girl. The crew consisted of four men. Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities.
The aircraft was found by a British Lancaster bomber of 7th Squadron (“Pathfinders”) piloted by Flt Lt Geoffrey Douglas Head. The initial sighting was made by his rear gunner. They were searching further north than the initial search area. The Americans initially claimed they found the aircraft first but later made a press statement to credit the Royal Air Force for their successful sighting.