Le Nimbus 2C accroche la caténaire en tirant vers le terrain sans réserve

Un pilote expérimenté a poursuivi vers Montricher sans réserve de hauteur et a accroché la caténaire en tentant de sauter les fils ; le Nimbus 2C a pivoté sur la route, fortement endommagé, le pilote légèrement blessé. De retour d'un vol de campagne bien haut, il a été attiré bas par de fortes descendances ; malgré de bons champs dessous, il a jugé avoir tout juste de quoi atteindre la piste 21 en direct, sans réserve, et a continué. De nouvelles descendances près de la voie l'ont empêché de la franchir, trop tard pour les champs ; il a piqué pour la vitesse puis cabré vers les fils. Cause : franchissement d'obstacle sans réserve suffisante.

1. Cross-country return: After a training cross-country flight toward the Jura, the pilot turned back near La Chaux-de-Fonds due to deteriorating weather and headed for Montricher with little height reserve.
2. Prolonged sink encountered: Following the eastern slopes of the Jura on the return leg, the glider flew through a large area of sinking air, dropping to about 1,200 m AMSL near Romainmôtier.
3. Low height margin: At L'Isle, about 3 km from Montricher, the pilot judged he had just enough altitude to reach runway 21 directly, with no reserve for a normal circuit and approach.
4. Continued direct low approach: Despite the minimal height margin and suitable fields below, the pilot continued a straight-in, downwind approach to runway 21 instead of committing to an outlanding.
5. Attempt to clear railway: Approaching the Bière–Apples–Morges railway and realising he could not clear it with his remaining height, the pilot dived for speed and pulled up to jump the overhead wires.
6. Impact with catenary: During the pull-up maneuver the glider’s left wing struck the railway catenary, causing the aircraft to pivot about a quarter turn to the left and lose control.
7. Crash - minor injury: The glider crashed onto the road alongside the railway, sustaining severe damage and causing major damage to the railway installations, while the pilot received only minor injuries.