Colisión en el aire entre Libelle H301 y Kestrel H 401 cerca de Bever, Suiza

El 24 de julio de 1980, ocurrió una colisión en el aire entre un Glasflügel Libelle H301 y un Glasflügel Kestrel H 401 cerca de Bever, Suiza. Ambas aeronaves realizaban vuelos de entrenamiento tras despegar del aeródromo de Samedan. La colisión se produjo a aproximadamente 3400 metros de altitud, resultando en que el Kestrel se volviera incontrolable y se estrellara, mientras que el piloto se lanzó en paracaídas a salvo con heridas leves. La Libelle sufrió daños en su ala izquierda pero logró regresar y aterrizar de manera segura en Samedan. El informe oficial cita una observación insuficiente del espacio aéreo por parte de ambos pilotos como la causa de la colisión.

1. Winch launch cruise: After a winch launch from Samedan, the Libelle pilot spent over two hours soaring in the Crasta Mora–Corviglia–Corvatsch area before returning toward a cumulus south‑east of Crasta Mora.
2. Congested thermal area: Approaching a cumulus south‑east of Crasta Mora, the Libelle pilot observed five to six gliders circling in the thermal and chose to avoid adding to the congestion by moving to the Crasta Mora ridge instead.
3. Unfavorable visibility: Lighting and mutual sighting conditions were unfavorable, with possible sun glare from front‑left and the Kestrel approaching slightly from below, making visual acquisition more difficult.
4. Inadequate lookout: Both pilots maintained insufficient airspace observation as they maneuvered near the south‑east flank of Crasta Mora, failing to see each other despite converging flight paths.
5. Near head-on collision: At about 3400 m, the Kestrel, flying slightly lower and from the left, collided almost head‑on with the Libelle, its T‑tail striking and damaging the Libelle’s left wing.
6. Kestrel control loss: The impact tore off part of the Kestrel’s right horizontal stabilizer, causing loss of pitch control and a subsequent inverted spin toward the terrain.
7. Crash - minor injury: The Kestrel pilot bailed out and landed by parachute with injuries on the south slope of Crasta Mora while the destroyed glider crashed, whereas the damaged Libelle remained controllable and landed safely back at Samedan.