Incidente del DG-300 Elan durante la aproximación de aterrizaje cerca de Einsiedeln, Suiza
El 22 de julio de 2000, un DG Flugzeugbau DG-300 Elan experimentó un incidente durante la aproximación de aterrizaje cerca de Einsiedeln, Suiza. El piloto, con experiencia limitada en planeadores, volaba bajo condiciones térmicas desafiantes y tuvo dificultades para mantener la altitud. Durante la aproximación de aterrizaje, la aeronave sufrió una pérdida de sustentación y entró en una barrena, resultando en un aterrizaje forzoso. El piloto sufrió heridas graves y el planeador resultó gravemente dañado. El informe destaca la velocidad insuficiente del piloto durante el giro de aterrizaje como un factor contribuyente.
- Aerotow cross-country: After an aerotow release at about 2300–2400 m over the Alptal, the pilot conducted a cross-country soaring flight in generally weak thermals.
- Weak lift and sink: In the following flight the pilot repeatedly failed to find usable updrafts, steadily lost altitude, and was unable to maintain height in the area.
- Low experience, area: The pilot had limited overall glider experience, no solo outlanding experience, and was unfamiliar with the terrain in the accident area.
- Low altitude near ridge: West of Biberbrugg, at about 200–250 m above ground near the transition to the Höhronen ridge, the glider was observed flying elongated circles at low speed, appearing close to stall.
- Low-speed landing turn: Approaching the selected outlanding field at Altbergried, the pilot flew a right turn from downwind directly toward final at an estimated 100 m above ground with insufficient airspeed in partly gusty conditions.
- Stall and spin entry: During this right landing turn the glider abruptly stalled, dropped over the right wing, and entered a spin or spin-like condition, completing about two rotations.
- Crash - serious injury: After the pilot partially flattened the flight path, the glider impacted the soft moor ground near Altbergried in a nearly horizontal attitude, causing serious injuries to the pilot and heavy damage to the aircraft.