Elfe Standard V collision with ski lift cable near Muottas Muragl, Switzerland

On July 31, 1988, a Neukom Elfe S3P glider took off from Samedan Airfield for a local flight. Around 14:30, the aircraft collided with a ski lift cable near Muottas Muragl at an altitude of 2500 meters, resulting in the glider's destruction. The pilot was fatally injured in the impact. The investigation noted the collision occurred due to flying below the minimum safe altitude, with potential technical issues not entirely ruled out.

1. Local soaring flight: The pilot departed Samedan at 12:55 on a local soaring flight in the Elfe Standard V glider after an apparently normal winch launch and initial climb.
2. Low experience on type: The pilot had limited overall gliding experience and was on only his second flight on the demanding Elfe Standard V type.
3. Very low ridge height: While flying near Muottas Muragl the glider was flown at an altitude of only about 8 m above the ground over a ridge area with few visual height cues.
4. Ski lift cable impact: In level flight in a slight right turn the glider struck the haul cable of the Crasta ski lift approximately 8 m above the ground and 8 m from a support mast.
5. In‑flight breakup: The collision with the cable caused severe structural damage and separation of the wing from the fuselage, scattering wreckage downslope.
6. Crash - fatal: The fuselage impacted the slope in a back-first attitude near Muottas Muragl, fatally injuring the pilot and totally destroying the glider.