ASW 19 accident during landing at Montricher airfield, Switzerland
On September 28, 1994, an Alexander Schleicher ASW 19 B was involved in a landing accident at Montricher Airfield, Switzerland. The pilot, conducting a private training flight, attempted to land on runway 03 but approached at an excessively high speed. Despite deploying air brakes and attempting a left slip to reduce speed and altitude, the glider collided with the runway. The pilot sustained serious injuries, while the glider was destroyed. The official investigation confirmed that inadequate approach and excessive landing speed were the primary causes.
- Circuit joining: After about 25 minutes of local soaring, the pilot returned to Montricher and joined the downwind leg for runway 03 with excess altitude and speed.
- Abnormal circuit path: Instead of flying a normal full downwind leg, the pilot conducted a high, fast spiral for height loss near the threshold and then turned early onto base, ending up almost overhead the runway 03 threshold at excessive height.
- High approach speed: Witnesses observed the glider flying at an abnormally high speed, later estimated at about 120–140 km/h on approach, making energy management difficult.
- Steep descent with airbrakes: Finding himself too high to land within the airfield limits, the pilot selected a touchdown point about two-thirds down the runway and fully deployed the airbrakes while pitching down into a very steep descent.
- Low-level slip attempt: Close to the ground, the pilot initiated a left slip and attempted to flare, trying to reduce both excess height and speed just before touchdown.
- Loss of pitch control: Near the ground the glider began several longitudinal oscillations, ending in a very disordered motion in which the tail, wings, and nose struck the ground in succession.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider collided heavily with the runway and was destroyed, and the pilot sustained serious injuries to his right foot, pelvis, and spine.