Accidente del ASW 20L en el aeródromo de Ambri durante lanzamiento con cabrestante, piloto fatalmente herido

El 23 de abril de 1993, un Alexander Schleicher ASW 20L se estrelló en el aeródromo militar de Ambri en Suiza durante un lanzamiento con cabrestante. Poco después del despegue, el planeador entró en un giro a la izquierda y continuó sin intervención de control hasta descender casi verticalmente. El piloto, que tenía una experiencia significativa en vuelo a vela pero limitada en lanzamientos con cabrestante, resultó fatalmente herido. La investigación sugirió que una condición médica podría haber contribuido a la pérdida de control. El planeador fue destruido al impactar.

1. Winch launch climb: During a winch launch from Ambri military airfield, the ASW 20L transitioned from ground roll into the initial climb normally.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.