Swissair DC-3 Recovery from Lake Constance: A 70-Year-Old Mystery
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Nearly seven decades after a Swissair DC-3 plunged into Lake Constance, a new effort is underway to recover the wreckage. This ambitious project aims not only to create a fitting memorial for the nine lives lost on June 18, 1957, but also to potentially shed new light on the circumstances surrounding the crash.The urgency is heightened by the encroaching threat of invasive quagga mussels,which risk permanently obscuring the historical site.
The DC-3,flying at a high altitude between Arbon and Romanshorn,inexplicably entered a spin and nosedived into the lake. The swift descent left no survivors. Initial recovery efforts, led by experienced aircraft salvage expert Martin Schaffner, nicknamed “Bomber Conductor,” brought up much of the wreckage, but portions remained at depths exceeding 200 meters (approximately 656 feet).
The likely cause of the accident remains a stall,resulting in a loss of control. A loss of speed, possibly due to a slow maneuver during training or performance testing, is suspected to have triggered the fatal spin. The aircraft lacked sufficient altitude to recover.
A link to the official accident report can be found here.
In 2016, former American pilot Andrew Frauenfelder, using side-scan sonar, rediscovered parts of the wreckage. He located the left engine (a Pratt & Whitney R-1830) and some smaller debris. Frauenfelder’s experience adds an international dimension to the story. Reflecting on his discovery, he stated, ”my search was over, and curiosity gave way to emptiness and sadness about this accident.”
the recovery effort is intertwined with the parallel project of salvaging the nearby sunken steamship “Säntis.” Silvan Paganini, president of the ship salvage association, initially focused on the “Säntis” before turning his attention to the DC-3, driven by the concern that the quagga mussels would render the plane’s remains irretrievable. A previous attempt to recover a B-17 bomber in the same area was thwarted by these mussels.
A crucial step was the legal clarification of ownership. On December 18, 2024, the liquidator of the former Swissair confirmed that neither Swissair AG nor SAirGroup AG would claim the wreckage, paving the way for the salvage operation. paganini emphasized, “The legal clarification was crucial, because without clarity of ownership no recovery would have been possible.”
Future plans include a thorough documentation of the debris field using advanced technology. Investigators hope that a detailed analysis of the recovered engine might provide further insights into the accident,particularly given the possibility that single-engine training flights where being conducted at the time.
Salvaging History: Swissair DC-3 raised from Lake Constance
A group of dedicated individuals in Switzerland are undertaking a remarkable endeavor: the recovery of a historic Swissair DC-3 aircraft from the depths of Lake Constance. The project, spearheaded by the Schiffsbergeverein, aims not only to salvage the aircraft but also to create a poignant memorial honoring the victims of past aviation accidents.
Silvan Paganini, a key figure in the project, expresses unwavering optimism: “While the quagga shell has forever obscured the remains of the B-17 bomber, we will save the remains of the Swissair DC-3 and build a worthy monument. Our club will not run out of work.” The immediate focus, however, is on a crowdfunding campaign to fund the next phase: salvaging the steamship ‘Säntis’. This campaign runs until January 31st and can be accessed at www.lokalhelden.ch/bergung-saentis.
Historic Swissair DC-3 HB-IRK Recording
The following video offers a glimpse into the history of the swissair DC-3 HB-IRK. (Source: Swiss Federal Archives, SFW, Songs on Travels, J2.143 1996386 662-1 4)
Documentary: Swissair DC-3 Recovery
This video provides further insight into the recovery efforts, narrated by Silvan Paganini himself.
Swissair DC-3 Engulfed by Lake Constance: Experts Gear Up For Recovery
In a remarkable undertaking, dedicated individuals are preparing to raise a Swissair DC-3 from the depths of Lake Constance. The aircraft tragically sank in 1957, claiming the lives of nine people. Now, nearly seven decades later, this ambitious recovery project aims to honor the victims and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The Crash and Its aftermath
Rebecca Harrison, Senior Editor, world-today-news.com: Dr. Peter Klein, thank you for joining us today. Your expertise in aviation history and accident examination is invaluable to understanding this compelling story. Could you tell us more about the events of June 18, 1957, when the swissair DC-3 met its tragic end?
Dr. Peter Klein, Aviation Historian: It was a clear day when the DC-3, HB-IRK, vanished from the radar, plummeting into Lake constance during a routine flight. all nine souls onboard perished.Initial recovery efforts managed to retrieve a important portion of the wreckage, but parts, including the left engine, remained at depths exceeding 200 meters, beyond the reach of technology at the time.
Rebecca Harrison:
Understandably,those initial efforts focused primarily on recovering the remains and understanding the immediate cause. What are believed to have been the contributing factors to this accident?
Dr. Peter Klein:
the official investigation concluded that a probable stall, which can lead to a dangerous loss of control, was the primary cause. Theories suggest a slow maneuver or performance testing at altitude might have led to a loss of airspeed, triggering the fatal spin. The aircraft simply didn’t have enough altitude to recover.
rediscovery and RenewedEfforts
Rebecca Harrison: The story doesn’t end there, though. Decades later, new technology brought the wrecksite back into focus. What prompted the renewed interest in recovering this aircraft?
Dr. Peter Klein:
Indeed, the story took a fascinating turn in 2016 when American pilot Andrew frauenfelder, utilizing side-scan sonar, rediscovered portions of the wreckage, including the left engine.
Rebecca Harrison: So, this rediscovery set the stage for the current recovery project. What are some of the challenges facing the team, and can you tell us more about the urgency behind this effort?
Dr. Peter Klein:
The biggest threat is the invasive quagga mussel.These mussels are notorious for encrusting submerged objects, effectively entombing them in a thick layer of shell. If left unchecked, they could render the DC-3 irretrievable. Time is truly of the essence.
rebecca Harrison: I understand a parallel project to salvage the nearby steamship “Säntis” is underway.
Dr. Peter Klein:
Indeed, under the leadership of Silvan Paganini and the ship salvage association, this effort is in constant motion. Their initial focus was on the “Säntis,” but the looming threat posed by the quaqa mussels encouraged them to prioritize the DC-3 as well.
