SZD-8ter ZO crash during approach at Montricher airfield, resulting in pilot fatality
On August 4, 1976, an SZD-8ter ZO crashed during an approach at Montricher Airfield in Switzerland. The pilot, conducting a training flight, lost control during a base turn, causing the glider to enter a spin and impact the ground nearly vertically. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The official investigation identified insufficient speed and altitude, along with gusty wind conditions, as contributing factors to the accident.
- Aerotow training flight: The pilot conducted a local training flight in the Jaskolka after aerotow departure from Montricher and, having found no usable lift, returned to the airfield to land.
- Low experience on type: The pilot had modest overall gliding experience and limited time on the Jaskolka type, reducing his margin for handling errors in the circuit.
- Gusty crosswind joran: A joran wind with moderate to strong gusts and associated turbulence was blowing across runway 21, increasing the risk of airspeed fluctuations during approach.
- Low, slow circuit: Witnesses observed the glider flying the landing circuit at a relatively low height and with apparently low airspeed, leaving little reserve of speed and altitude.
- Stall in base turn: While turning right onto base leg for runway 21, the glider experienced a loss of airspeed and stalled.
- Spin develops low: The stall immediately developed into a spin with about one and a half turns, with the glider descending steeply and control responses appearing sluggish or ineffective to witnesses.
- Crash - fatal: With insufficient height to recover from the spin, the glider impacted a field nearly vertically and was destroyed, fatally injuring the pilot.