Ka 7 stall during approach at Bex airfield leads to serious pilot injury
On November 1, 1986, an Alexander Schleicher K 7 glider, participating in a precision landing contest at Bex airfield, stalled during the final approach. The pilot reduced speed to 70 km/h after passing a tree line, resulting in a stall from a height of 5 to 10 meters. The glider collided with a calf and rotated 120 degrees before coming to a stop. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the glider suffered significant damage to the fuselage and left wing. The accident was attributed to an inappropriate approach tactic and insufficient altitude and speed.
- Final approach: During a precision landing contest flight after aerotow release at 650 m AMSL, the pilot flew a relatively low final approach to runway 33 in the Ka 7.
- Low height on approach: Witnesses already observed the glider on base leg at a noticeably lower height than other competitors, contrary to the club’s recommended minimum approach altitudes.
- Speed reduced near trees: After turning onto final, the pilot reduced speed from about 90 to 80 km/h, then, concerned about proximity to a tree line 300 m before the runway, retracted airbrakes and further reduced speed to about 70 km/h after passing the trees.
- Obstacle avoidance maneuver: On short final, at low height and low speed, the pilot maneuvered to avoid a single isolated tree near the approach path, increasing angle of attack with little speed margin above stall.
- Low-level stall: With insufficient speed and height, the glider stalled at an estimated 5–10 m above ground and dropped into a field about 150 m before the runway threshold.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider struck a calf with the left wing, rotated about 120 degrees, came to rest with serious damage to the fuselage and left wing, and the pilot was seriously injured.