Crash d'un Nimbus 2C dans le Val di Gorduno lors d'une compétition régionale
Le 10 avril 1981, un Schempp-Hirth Nimbus 2C s'est écrasé dans le Val di Gorduno, en Suisse, lors d'une compétition régionale de vol à voile. Le pilote a rencontré un fort courant descendant en naviguant dans le terrain montagneux, entraînant une collision avec la colline. Le planeur a été détruit et le pilote a été grièvement blessé mais a survécu. Les opérations de secours ont été retardées et le pilote n'a été retrouvé que le lendemain. Le rapport suggère qu'une marge d'altitude insuffisante lors du vol de crête a contribué à l'accident.
- 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.