ASW 20L crash at Ambri airfield during winch launch, pilot fatally injured
On April 23, 1993, an Alexander Schleicher ASW 20L crashed at the Ambri military airfield in Switzerland during a winch launch. Shortly after takeoff, the glider entered a left turn and continued without control input until it descended almost vertically. The pilot, who had significant gliding experience but limited winch launch experience, was fatally injured. The investigation suggested a medical condition may have contributed to the loss of control. The glider was destroyed upon impact.
- Winch launch climb: During a winch launch from Ambri military airfield, the ASW 20L transitioned from ground roll into the initial climb normally.
- Onset of medical event: Shortly after liftoff, the pilot likely suffered an incapacitating cardiac event during the winch launch climb, impairing his ability to control the glider.
- Pre-existing heart disease: The pilot had severe coronary artery disease with evidence of a prior myocardial infarction and prior hospitalisation for coronary problems, creating a high risk of sudden incapacitation.
- No control inputs: As the glider climbed in a left turn to about 50 m AGL, no pilot control reactions were observed despite the increasing deviation from the normal winch launch trajectory.
- Loss of control descent: After the winch driver reduced power, the glider continued its left turn without apparent control and entered an almost vertical, uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
- Crash - fatal: The glider impacted the grass area beside the paved runway nearly vertically, was destroyed, and the pilot, likely already incapacitated or dead before impact, sustained fatal injuries.