Investigation Report on the Überlingen aircraft accident - Federal Council accepts errors were made and expresses apologies
Bern, 19.5.2004 - The circumstances that led to the collision of two aircraft in the airspace over Überlingen (Ger.) on 1 July 2002 have been clarified. Errors that brought about the disaster and the deaths of 71 people were also made in Switzerland. In a letter to the President of the Russian Federation on behalf of the Federal Council, President Joseph Deiss has offered his sincerest apologies. The accident led to an immediate and thorough examination of the Swiss air traffic control system. The reorganisation of safety management in air transport already underway will be continued to its logical conclusion.