Pilatus B4-PC 11AF Kollision mit Bodenpersonal während der Landung auf dem Flugplatz Buochs
Am 7. April 1984 war ein Pilatus B4-PC 11AF in eine Kollision während der Landung auf dem Flugplatz Buochs in der Schweiz verwickelt. Der linke Flügel des Segelflugzeugs traf ein Mitglied des Bodenpersonals, das bei den Startvorbereitungen half und unbeabsichtigt auf die Landebahn trat. Das Besatzungsmitglied erlitt schwere Verletzungen infolge der Kollision. Das Segelflugzeug wurde stark beschädigt, jedoch gab es keine Todesfälle. Der offizielle Bericht bestätigte, dass der Unfall geschah, weil das Bodenpersonal das herannahende Segelflugzeug nicht bemerkte.
- Landing approach: The Pilatus B4 glider was on final approach to land on runway 07 while simultaneous launch preparations were taking place on the same runway.
- Simultaneous ops on runway: On the 40 m wide runway 07, glider launches were conducted on the left side while landings occurred on the right side, requiring very careful coordination of ground personnel.
- Hazardous cable area: The cable drop-off point south of the runway required ground helpers to move between sides of the runway, exposing them to risk from landing traffic.
- Helper enters landing path: After attaching the front weak link on the left side, the student helper walked along the tow cable and then onto the right half of runway 07 without properly checking for the landing glider.
- Pilot loses visual: The landing pilot saw the helper on the left side when crossing the threshold, then focused on the landing and only noticed him again immediately before impact when he had moved into the right half of the runway.
- Wing strikes helper: As the helper walked toward the waiting glider with the cable end in hand, the left wing of the landing glider struck his left upper arm despite his last-moment attempt to duck after hearing a rushing noise.
- Crash - serious injury: The ground helper sustained serious injuries and the glider was heavily damaged in the collision between the landing aircraft and the start helper.