LS 6 loses control in a steep low turn during a late outlanding
The pilot of an LS 6-18w was seriously injured and the glider destroyed when it lost control in a steep low turn during a late off-field landing near Schüpfheim. On a cross-country from Birrfeld, thermals faded over the Entlebuch and the pilot decided to land only at ~300 m AGL, leaving little height for a circuit. Over a short, high-grass field he lost the remaining height in a steep 180° left turn — below 100 m by witnesses — dropped below flying speed and fell off the left wing, hitting the ground after about 90°. Contributing factors: height misjudgment and the late outlanding decision.
- Cross-country landing: During a cross-country soaring flight from Birrfeld, the pilot entered the landing phase after thermals deteriorated in the Entlebuch area and he could no longer maintain altitude.
- Low height for circuit: The pilot delayed his decision to outland until about 300 m above ground, leaving limited height to fly a proper landing circuit.
- Short, high-grass field: The selected outlanding field near the hamlet of Lehn was covered with high grass and, from the point where the left turn was initiated, appeared very short for a safe landing.
- Steep low-altitude turn: Over the intended landing field, at an altitude witnesses estimated below 100 m, the pilot began a steep 180° left turn to lose height and align for landing.
- Stall and loss of control: During the steep turn the glider likely dropped below minimum speed; control forces vanished, the nose pitched down, the left wing dropped, and the aircraft entered an uncontrolled attitude.
- Wing strikes ground: Before completing the 180° turn, after about 90° the left wing struck the ground and the nose impacted, spinning the glider to rest facing opposite its initial direction.
- Crash - serious injury: The off-field landing attempt ended in a crash that destroyed the glider and caused the pilot serious back and leg injuries.