Accidente de un Nimbus 2C en Val di Gorduno durante una competencia regional
El 10 de abril de 1981, un Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 2C se estrelló en Val di Gorduno, Suiza, durante una competencia regional de vuelo a vela. El piloto encontró una fuerte corriente descendente mientras navegaba por el terreno montañoso, lo que llevó a una colisión con la ladera. El planeador fue destruido y el piloto resultó gravemente herido, pero sobrevivió. Las operaciones de rescate se retrasaron y el piloto no fue encontrado hasta el día siguiente. El informe sugiere que una margen de altitud insuficiente durante el vuelo de ladera contribuyó al accidente.
- Competition cruise: During a regional competition task, the pilot departed Locarno by aerotow with 150 liters of water ballast, climbed in thermals, and then cruised toward the start line area for multiple start attempts.
- Multiple start attempts: After his first start was declared invalid and the second not clearly confirmed by radio, the pilot decided to gain more altitude and cross the start line a third time, increasing time pressure and mental stress.
- Low ridge altitude: While proceeding into the Val di Gorduno with 20 m wingspan and 150 liters of water ballast, the glider was flown close above the slope with an insufficient altitude margin for safe ridge flying.
- Strong downdraft encountered: In the valley the glider suddenly entered a very strong descending air mass that rapidly reduced its height above the hillside.
- Unable to outclimb sink: Due to the low height above terrain and reduced maneuverability from ballast, the pilot was unable to escape the downdraft or regain sufficient clearance from the slope.
- Crash - serious injury: The Nimbus 2C struck the mountainside and slid about 200 meters down the slope, destroying the glider and seriously injuring the pilot.