Ka 8 incident near Andermatt: outlanding attempt leads to stall and crash
On August 11, 1980, a Ka 8 glider piloted by a Swiss national took off from Münster airfield for a 300 km triangular flight. During the return leg, the pilot encountered unfavorable wind conditions and decided to perform an outlanding near Andermatt. Approaching the landing field with a tailwind, the pilot attempted to change direction, resulting in a low-speed stall and crash. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the glider was destroyed. The investigation confirmed that the glider stalled due to insufficient speed during the landing turn.
- Aerotow cross-country: The pilot aerotowed from Münster for a 300 km cross-country flight in the Ka 8 and proceeded uneventfully to and from Crap Sogn Gion.
- Pilot low experience: The pilot had limited total experience, no prior outlandings, and no systematic cross-country training, despite attempting a 300 km mountain task.
- Loss of usable lift: On the return leg near the Oberalp area the pilot could no longer find usable lift at Gütsch, Nätschen, the east flank of the Unteralp valley, or Bäzberg and was forced to plan an outlanding.
- Tailwind at landing field: The selected outlanding field near Andermatt was affected by a typical local valley wind, creating a strong tailwind for the initial approach direction and offering poor suitability from the southwest due to nearby houses.
- Abandons tailwind approach: On final from the northeast the pilot realized he was landing with a strong tailwind and would overshoot, so he broke off the approach to land from the opposite direction by flying along the northern edge of the field.
- Low, steep turn: At the western end of the field, at only 15–20 m above ground and at low airspeed, the pilot initiated a steep 180° left turn to reverse direction for landing.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider stalled and dropped off to the left with airbrakes extended, striking the ground with the left wingtip and nose and seriously injuring the pilot while destroying the aircraft.