Absturz einer SZD-41A bei Außenlandungsversuch in Kolsass, Österreich

Am 25. Juli 1985 ereignete sich ein tödlicher Unfall mit einer SZD-41A in der Nähe von Kolsass, Österreich. Bei einem Versuch der Außenlandung sank das Segelflugzeug fast senkrecht aus geringer Höhe ab, was zum Tod des Piloten führte. Die Untersuchung bestätigte, dass das Flugzeug aufgrund des Fliegens unterhalb der Mindestgeschwindigkeit in den Strömungsabriss geriet. Empfehlungen beinhalteten, die Bedeutung der frühzeitigen Vorbereitung auf Außenlandungen und die Beachtung der Geschwindigkeit zu betonen.

1. Cross-country cruise: After aerotow departure from Bad Ragaz, the pilot flew a long cross-country task in the Alps, remaining generally high until later in the afternoon.
2. Prolonged flight, low height: Later in the flight, after passing the Schmittenhöhe turnpoint and heading west, the pilot encountered weak lift, descended steadily for an extended period, and continued the task until he was forced low in the Inn valley area.
3. Late outlanding setup: The pilot did not terminate the cross-country and fully commit to an outlanding until he was already at low altitude over the valley floor, leaving little height margin for a stabilized approach.
4. Slow turn at low height: At about 50–100 m above ground while attempting an outlanding, the pilot initiated a right turn at an unusually low airspeed, possibly misled by the relatively strong northeast wind into believing his speed was higher than it was.
5. Stall and incipient spin: During the right turn the glider exceeded its critical angle of attack, the inner wing stalled, and the aircraft rolled off over the right wing into a beginning spin from which there was insufficient height to recover.
6. Near-vertical impact: The glider descended almost vertically and struck a maize field nose-first and with the right wingtip, indicating a very steep impact attitude.
7. Crash - fatal: The near-vertical crash destroyed the glider and fatally injured the pilot.