Incidente de Janus en Zweisimmen: pérdida de sustentación durante intento de aterrizaje lleva a accidente
El 30 de julio de 1982, un Schempp-Hirth Janus sufrió un accidente en el aeródromo de Zweisimmen, Suiza, durante un intento de aterrizaje. El piloto intentó aterrizar con viento de cola y se dio cuenta de que estaba demasiado alto y rápido. Para corregirlo, ascendió a aproximadamente 40 metros e intentó un giro al final de la pista. El planeador entró en pérdida y se estrelló, resultando en heridas graves para el piloto, mientras que el pasajero salió ileso. La aeronave fue destruida. La investigación confirmó la pérdida de sustentación durante el giro como la causa del accidente.
- 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.