Commemorative Event ‘80 Years of Dakota’– 10 & 11 October 2026
On 19 November 1946, a US aircraft crashed on the Gauli Glacier – miraculously, all those on board survived. The spectacular rescue made history and is regarded as the birth of alpine air rescue.
Experience history up close!
To mark the 80th anniversary of the legendary Dakota rescue, a unique commemorative event for the whole family will take place at Meiringen Air Base. You can marvel at original wreckage from the crashed Dakota, historic aircraft and vehicles will be on display, and fascinating talks will bring the events of that time to life – and, of course, there will be plenty of delicious food and drink on offer. On Saturday, REGA will have a rescue helicopter on site, and the popular bouncy castle will be available for the little ones on both days. In addition, regional service providers will be showcasing their offerings. An unforgettable experience for young and old alike – two days packed with history, technology and adventure, from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm each day.
Dakota Exhibition at the Tourist Center Grimseltor
To get you in the mood for the ‘80 Years of the Dakota’ commemorative event, the Tourist Center Grimseltor in Innertkirchen is already inviting visitors to a special exhibition featuring original parts from the crashed Dakota. Discover fascinating artefacts and immerse yourself in the moving story of the plane crash on the Gauli Glacier and the legendary rescue operation of 1946. The exhibition runs until 1 October 2026 and is free to visit.
Programme (10.00–16.00 each day)
- 10.30 am (Saturdays only) Official welcome by Ernst Kohler, CEO of Swiss Air Rescue
- Catering provided by the Fliegertreff restaurant (SV Restaurant)
- Fascinating talks
- Local service providers with a range of offerings
How to get there
- By car:
- Follow the signs for ‘Militärflugplatz Meiringen’; parking is available on site
- By public transport or shuttle:
- Saturday: take the Zentralbahn to Meiringen or Brienzwiler, then take the PostBus to the ‘Flugplatz’ stop. Please check the timetable at www.sbb.ch
- Sunday: take the Zentralbahn to Meiringen; a shuttle bus is available for a fee; CHF 8 per person per journey
