Ventus 2c entered active restricted area during airshow; F-5E airprox

A German Ventus 2c pilot on a cross-country flight entered the active temporary restricted area around Fricktal-Schupfart at 12:14 UTC; the area had been set up for the Patrouille Suisse airshow display. He had not consulted the NOTAM or DABS and did not radio his position. At 12:33 UTC over Zeiningen the glider came within ~40 m vertical / ~100 m horizontal of a PS F-5E in a pulled-up right turn into formation. With only Flarm aboard — no transponder — military ATC could not warn the formation leader, who sighted the glider only at the apex of his turn. At ~7× the glider's speed, no evasion was feasible. No injuries, no damage.

1. Ventus 2c XC into Switzerland: D-4363 launched 10:12 UTC at Winzeln-Schramberg (EDTW) by aerotow; entered Swiss airspace at Bad Säckingen ~11:25 UTC at 1520 m AMSL; flew past LSZI eastside at 1340 m at 11:28 UTC (the tower told the pilot no landing). Thermalled in the Schwarzwald/Jura.
2. Restricted area active for airshow: Temporary restricted area W1230/18 active 12:00–13:15 UTC: radius 13 km / 7 NM around LSZI, surface to 2000 m AMSL, established for the Fricktal-Schupfart 50-year airshow and Patrouille Suisse display. Published in NOTAM and DABS.
3. Glider pilot unaware of restriction: The pilot had not consulted the NOTAM or the DABS during his flight preparation. He was aware that an event was taking place from his earlier radio call at 11:28 UTC; he chose a route west of the airfield but did not understand a restricted area was active.
4. No transponder, no position call: Ventus 2c carried Flarm only — no transponder. The pilot did not call on the LSZI frequency 119.555 MHz to announce his position once back in the area. Military intercept control could not detect or warn the formation leader; tower coordinators could not warn the PS commander early enough.
5. Entered active restricted area: At 12:14:15 UTC the glider entered the active W1230/18 at 1582 m AMSL, thermalling about 7 km west-southwest of LSZI.
6. Closest approach ~40 m vertical: At 12:33:00 UTC over Zeiningen at 1440 m AMSL, the Patrouille Suisse leader (in a pulled-up right turn into the 'Sphair' formation) sighted the glider above-left at the apex of his turn — too late for an evasion maneuver in formation. Closest distances: ~40 m vertical / ~100 m horizontal. Photogrammetric analysis from a spectator photograph gives a reference-plane distance from the glider's right wingtip to F-5E #5's tail of ~25 m. Air Force internal Air Safety Report estimates 10–20 m vertical separation. The glider pilot heard jet engines, then saw the formation in the passby; at the formation's ~7× closing speed an evasion would have been ineffective even with earlier sighting.
7. No collision, no damage: Both aircraft continued safely. The Ventus 2c diverted to Hütten-Hotzenwald (ESDS) at 12:55:59 UTC after no further thermals. The Patrouille Suisse completed the program and returned to Emmen. Airprox classified as ICAO Category A (serious risk of collision). SUST closed the investigation under VSZV Art. 45 — no further safety findings expected.