Kollision in der Luft zwischen Speed Astir II und Ka 6 über Piz Tschierva, Schweiz

Am 12. August 1982 kam es zu einer Kollision in der Luft zwischen einem Grob Speed Astir II und einer Alexander Schleicher Ka 6 CR über dem Piz Tschierva in der Schweiz. Der Speed Astir II, gesteuert von einem deutschen Staatsbürger, kollidierte von hinten mit der Ka 6 CR in einer Höhe von 3.807 Metern. Der Speed Astir II verlor einen Teil seiner Tragfläche und stürzte in den Berg, was zum Tod des Piloten führte. Der Ka 6 CR erlitt leichte Schäden, konnte jedoch sicher zum Flughafen Samedan zurückkehren. Der Pilot der Ka 6 CR blieb unverletzt, und es gab keine Schäden an Dritten.

1. Winch launch and climb: The Speed Astir II D-2904 launched by winch from Samedan at 14:27 and proceeded to soar in the local alpine area.
2. Crowded thermal area: Around Piz Tschierva there were about 15–20 gliders using the same lift, flying mixed turning directions and figure‑eight patterns at varying altitudes.
3. High-speed arrival: Shortly before 16:02 the Speed Astir approached the Piz Tschierva lift area at relatively high speed from outside the main gaggle, descending toward the group of gliders.
4. Target glider not seen: While entering the dense group of gliders, the Speed Astir pilot did not see the Ka 6 CR HB-836 ahead in his flight path.
5. Rear-quarter impact: At 16:02 the Speed Astir, banked about 55–60° right and on a roughly 325° track, struck the Ka 6 CR from behind and left at 3,807 m, with high relative speed.
6. Wing loss and spiral: The collision severed a 3.27 m outer section of the Speed Astir’s right wing, causing the glider to flip longitudinally over the Ka 6 and enter an uncontrollable spiral dive toward terrain.
7. Crash - fatal: The Speed Astir impacted the west face of Piz Tschierva around 3,400 m and was destroyed, fatally injuring the pilot, while the Ka 6 CR remained controllable and later landed safely at Samedan.