Standard Cirrus accident at Olmenhorn results in fatality
On July 28, 1989, a Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus glider was involved in a fatal accident at Olmenhorn, Switzerland. The pilot was conducting a local training flight from Münster when the incident occurred. While navigating a narrow thermal near the Olmenhorn, the glider collided with a rocky outcrop, leading to its destruction. The pilot was killed instantly upon impact. The official investigation suggested that the accident was likely caused by tight circling in close proximity to the terrain.
- Aerotow local flight: The pilot launched by aerotow from Münster for a local training flight and released over the Blinnental at about 2500 m in strong thermals.
- Mountain thermal soaring: The pilot proceeded to soar in alpine terrain, later thermaling near the Strahlhorn and then towards the Olmenhorn in an area known for demanding mountain flying.
- Very narrow thermal: At the Olmenhorn the usable thermal core was very narrow, requiring high bank angles and increased airspeed to remain in the lift close to steep, rocky terrain.
- Tight circling near slope: While thermaling about 200 m below another glider, the pilot began tight left-hand circles in the narrow thermal directly above a steep, jagged rock face on the Olmenhorn southwest ridge.
- Continued close-in turns: The pilot continued to circle several times in close proximity to the terrain instead of increasing clearance from the rock outcrops.
- Wing hits rock outcrop: In a high-bank turn the glider’s right wing mid-span struck a protruding rocky promontory, tearing off the outer wing section and destroying the wing center section.
- Crash - fatal: Following the wing strike the glider was catapulted into the slope and broke up on the steep rock and scree, fatally injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.