Janus incident at Zweisimmen: stall during landing attempt leads to crash
On July 30, 1982, a Schempp-Hirth Janus experienced a crash at Zweisimmen Airfield, Switzerland, during a landing attempt. The pilot attempted to land with a tailwind and realized he was too high and fast. In an effort to correct, he climbed to approximately 40 meters and attempted a turn at the runway's end. The glider stalled and crashed, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot, while the passenger remained unharmed. The aircraft was destroyed. The investigation confirmed the stall during the turn as the cause of the accident.
- Landing approach: During the landing phase after a local flight, the pilot joined the circuit to land the Janus at Zweisimmen while a strong southerly wind was present.
- Tailwind landing setup: Despite wind from about 180° and instructions to use runway 17, the pilot continued the approach to land on runway 35, effectively attempting a tailwind landing.
- High fast final: On final for runway 35 the glider flew a flat, high-energy approach, crossing the threshold at about 5 m AGL and roughly 160 km/h with airbrakes not deployed as intended.
- Realizes cannot land: Near the start of the runway the pilot recognized that, given his height, speed, and tailwind, a normal landing on runway 35 was no longer possible.
- Climb and turn attempt: The pilot pulled up to about 40 m AGL and attempted a low-altitude 180° reversal turn over the far end of the runway to correct the approach.
- Stall in turn: In turbulence and tailwind conditions the reversal turn was flown too slowly, and the glider stalled and dropped over the left wing.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider impacted the ground hard near the runway, destroying the aircraft, seriously injuring the pilot, and leaving the passenger uninjured.