1935 San Giacomo Douglas DC-2 crash

On 20 July 1935 a Douglas DC-2 aircraft, registration PH-AKG, operated by KLM, flying from Milan, Italy to Schiphol, Amsterdam, in the Netherlands crashed at Pian San Giacomo, Switzerland, killing all thirteen people on board, in the deadliest KLM accident at that time. It was the company's third international passenger flight accident in one week, which became known as the "black week". This left KLM short of crew and airplanes, and routes were given up; the Amsterdam−Milan route was taken over by Deutsche Lufthansa.

Flight and crash

The Douglas DC-2 PH-AKG (named: "Gaai") operated by KLM departed on 20 July 1935 at 11:56am local time for a scheduled international flight from Milan, Italy to Frankfurt, Germany. On board were thirteen people: 9 passengers and 4 crew members.

Flying over Switzerland, the aircraft flew over the pass at San Bernardino from the Moësa valley and would leave it via the northern pass. While flying over the pass, the plane encountered severe weather with heavy thunderstorms, torrential rain and drop in temperature. The pilot decided to fly at a lower altitude. Due to clouds, the pilot was not able to exit the valley via the north exit. The pilot turned and attempted to exit the valley via the southern exit, but this also failed. While flying above San Bernardino they reported over the radio "I'm flying blind and looking for my position"; and later "we have to deal with heavy rain and dense fog". The plane flew in circles in the valley to find an exit for over 20 minutes and the pilot descended further to gain visibility. The pilot decided to make an emergency landing on hilly terrain just outside San Giacomo at 12:30. The landing failed and the plane broke in half. The aircraft was crushed from front to back with only the tailpiece still intact, and the bottom part was heavily damaged.

A Red Cross team from Bellinzona arrived shortly after the accident. Soldiers and Swiss border guards from Bellinzona cordoned off the area, and the wreck remained guarded.

All passengers and crew members were killed in the crash, many mutilated beyond recognition. One flight attendant was not killed immediately, but died shortly after. The bodies were transported by truck to San Giacomo and laid down in coffins at the local Catholic church.