Incidente de Ka 8 cerca de Andermatt: intento de aterrizaje en campo lleva a pérdida de sustentación y choque

El 11 de agosto de 1980, un planeador Ka 8 pilotado por un ciudadano suizo despegó del aeródromo de Münster para un vuelo triangular de 300 km. Durante el tramo de regreso, el piloto encontró condiciones de viento desfavorables y decidió realizar un aterrizaje en campo cerca de Andermatt. Al aproximarse al campo de aterrizaje con viento de cola, el piloto intentó cambiar de dirección, lo que resultó en una pérdida de sustentación a baja velocidad y un choque. El piloto sufrió heridas graves y el planeador fue destruido. La investigación confirmó que el planeador entró en pérdida debido a una velocidad insuficiente durante el giro de aterrizaje.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.