Incidente de ASW 19 en Scex Rouge resulta en colisión fatal con pared rocosa
El 21 de agosto de 1991, un piloto que volaba un Alexander Schleicher ASW 19 B en un vuelo de entrenamiento local se estrelló contra una pared rocosa en Scex Rouge, Suiza. El incidente ocurrió alrededor de las 16:10 hora local cuando el planeador colisionó con la montaña tras ejecutar un giro cerrado a la izquierda o posiblemente entrar en pérdida. El piloto murió instantáneamente y el planeador fue destruido. La investigación oficial atribuyó el accidente a tácticas de vuelo inapropiadas en una zona propensa a fuertes descendentes.
- Aerotow ridge flight: The pilot aerotowed from Bex around 1448 for a local training flight and later flew ridge-soaring along the Scex Rouge in the Diablerets area.
- Leeward downdraft area: The pilot repeatedly flew through the east slope and Dar combe on the leeward side of Scex Rouge, an area known to generate strong downdrafts and turbulence in westerly winds.
- Low, deep in combe: At about 1600 the glider was observed flying lower and deeper into the Dar combe on the east side of Scex Rouge, exposing it to strong sink close to terrain and cable car wires.
- Abrupt left turn: In attempting to turn left away from the east slope and avoid the cable car cables, the pilot initiated a very tight left turn at low height near the ridge.
- Develops steep turn/spin: The glider entered a very steep left bank and likely an incipient or fully developed spin, completing about one and a half turns while descending toward the slope.
- Crash - fatal: After roughly one and a half turns the glider struck the east rock face of Scex Rouge about 50 m below the ridge, destroying the aircraft and killing the pilot instantly.