Accidente de Ka 6 durante la aproximación en el aeródromo de Samedan resultando en una fatalidad
El 3 de agosto de 1977, un planeador Ka 6 CR se estrelló durante la fase de aproximación en el aeródromo de Samedan en Suiza. El piloto había despegado del aeródromo más temprano ese día para un vuelo sobre los Alpes. Tras liberar el cable del cabrestante, los aerofrenos se desplegaron y permanecieron extendidos durante todo el vuelo. Durante el giro final para el aterrizaje, el planeador entró en pérdida desde una baja altitud y se estrelló, resultando en la muerte del piloto y la destrucción de la aeronave. La investigación identificó una velocidad insuficiente durante el giro de aterrizaje como la causa principal.
- Winch launch climb: The Ka 6 CR launched by winch from Samedan runway 21 and climbed normally to about 400–500 m above ground before cable release.
- Airbrakes left extended: Immediately after winch cable release, the pilot extended the airbrakes and they remained at least partially deployed instead of being retracted for normal flight.
- Pilot missed airbrakes: The pilot did not notice or correct the extended airbrakes, continuing flight toward the Muottas Muragl slope with the airbrakes still out.
- Height loss on circuit: With airbrakes extended the glider lost height rapidly, leading the pilot to abandon further soaring and return toward the airfield with insufficient altitude for a normal right-hand circuit.
- Tight low-altitude turn: Approaching the field over the Inn, the pilot initiated a tight left turn at about 50 m above ground in an attempt to align for landing despite the low height.
- Stall in landing turn: During the tight landing turn at low altitude and with airbrakes still extended, the glider’s airspeed fell below minimum and it stalled, dropping away from the turn.
- Crash - fatal: The glider impacted the right embankment of the Inn in a steep attitude, was destroyed, and the pilot was fatally injured.