LS 3-17 crash on Wildstrubel results in fatality for pilot
On July 19, 1989, a Rolladen-Schneider LS 3-17 departed from Zweisimmen Airfield for a local training flight. The pilot reported his position near Wildstrubel at 3200 meters around 17:00. When the glider did not return, a search was initiated, and the wreckage was found the next day on the northwest flank of Wildstrubel. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation concluded a loss of control for unknown reasons.
- Aerotow mountain soaring: The pilot aerotowed from Zweisimmen at 14:47 and proceeded to soar in the Lenk–Wildstrubel mountain area, later reporting position at 3200 m near Wildstrubel around 17:00.
- Flight near cloudbase: The glider was operating close to the local cloudbase around 3200–3300 m, reducing vertical clearance from terrain near the Wildstrubel ridge.
- Unfastened harness: The pilot’s seat harness was not latched in the central buckle at the time of the accident, indicating he was not properly strapped in.
- Use of video camera: The pilot carried a video camera and injuries were compatible with contact with the viewfinder, suggesting he may have been filming and visually distracted from aircraft control and terrain clearance.
- Loss of control in flight: For undetermined reasons, the pilot lost effective control of the glider while flying near the Wildstrubel at high altitude close to terrain.
- Wingtip strikes terrain: While flying on an easterly track, the right wingtip impacted a rock face on the northwest flank of the Wildstrubel, indicating insufficient terrain clearance.
- Crash - fatal: Following the wingtip impact, the glider broke up and the wreckage fell about 300 m down the northwest flank of the Wildstrubel, destroying the aircraft and fatally injuring the pilot.