Accidente del Schleicher K 10A en Alp Wildeneggli durante vuelo de ladera turbulento
El 6 de agosto de 1999, un Schleicher K 10A se estrelló en Alp Wildeneggli, Suiza, durante un vuelo de ladera. El piloto, que había despegado del aeródromo de Saanen, encontró condiciones turbulentas influenciadas por los vientos de Föhn. Al intentar ganar altitud, la aeronave sufrió una pérdida de sustentación y entró en un picado pronunciado, lo que llevó a una colisión con el terreno. El piloto resultó fatalmente herido en el impacto. La investigación no encontró defectos técnicos en la aeronave, y el piloto no estaba afectado por alcohol ni problemas de salud.
- Aerotow cross-country: The pilot aerotowed from Saanen at 1410 for a private cross-country soaring flight in thermic conditions influenced by Föhn.
- Broken Föhn thermals: Due to Föhn influence in the Berner Oberland, the thermals were broken and the area around the later accident site was affected by lee turbulence.
- Low ridge height: After about two hours of flight the pilot arrived relatively low near Alp Wildeneggli and attempted to gain height along the slope.
- Stall in turbulence: While trying to climb in ridge lift on the lee side in turbulent conditions, the glider’s speed dropped below minimum and the wing stalled.
- Steep dive to ground: Following the stall, the glider entered a steep, high-speed descent toward the sloping terrain, with no effective recovery before impact.
- Crash - fatal: The glider impacted the 45-degree alpine slope at high speed, was destroyed, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries.