Standard Cirrus accident during aerotow launch at Benken results in fatality
On July 14, 1983, a Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus was involved in a fatal accident near Benken, Switzerland. The glider was being aerotowed from Schänis airfield when the tow cable broke at approximately 200 meters altitude. The pilot attempted to bail out with a parachute but was fatally injured as the parachute did not fully deploy before ground impact. The glider was destroyed in the crash, but there was minimal damage to surrounding areas. The official report confirmed that the accident was due to a parachute jump from insufficient height after the tow cable broke.
- Aerotow climb: The Standard Cirrus launched from Schänis on aerotow for a training flight and climbed normally toward the Schäniserberg in smooth conditions.
- Tow cable break: Approximately 2 km from Schänis at about 200 m above ground near Benken, the tow cable broke close to the weak link, abruptly separating the glider from the tug.
- Loss of control: Following the cable break, the glider deviated markedly from normal attitude and entered a steep, near-vertical or spiral descent, indicating loss of controlled flight.
- Pilot attempts bailout: The pilot did not jettison the canopy but opened his harness, pulled the parachute handle, and exited the glider during the steep descent.
- Parachute not deployed: The pilot’s parachute only partially deployed, with several line bundles still stowed, because the available height was insufficient for full opening.
- Crash - fatal: The glider impacted the ground in a shallow angle and was destroyed, and the pilot struck the ground nearby with a partially deployed parachute and was fatally injured.