Invicta International Airlines Flight 435 was a charter flight carrying passengers from London to Basel, Switzerland. As the aircraft approached Basel-Mulhouse Airport on October 4, 1973, it encountered a severe snowstorm that drastically reduced visibility and complicated landing procedures. The pilots faced significant challenges as the heavy snowfall and strong winds created perilous conditions. Despite their best efforts to maintain control, the airplane tragically crashed just short of the runway, resulting in the total loss of all 108 people onboard, including crew members and passengers. Investigations following the incident indicated numerous contributing factors, including weather conditions and operational procedures at the time.

The crash of Flight 435 raised several concerns regarding aviation safety, particularly in challenging weather. As a result, regulatory authorities began to scrutinize procedures related to flights in adverse conditions more closely. Additionally, airlines were encouraged to improve their training programs for pilots to better prepare them for such unexpected weather phenomena. This incident represented a wake-up call for the airline industry, signaling the need for ongoing improvements in safety protocols as aviation technology continued to evolve. The event served as a catalyst for implementing more stringent regulations aimed at enhancing passenger safety during inclement weather conditions.