Standard Libelle outlanding with obstacles near Schinznach-Dorf, Switzerland
On May 15, 1976, a Glasflügel Standard Libelle experienced an outlanding near Schinznach-Dorf, Switzerland. During the Swiss Gliding Championship, the pilot encountered unexpected downdrafts and decided to land in a field. While attempting the landing, the right wing struck a road and a fence, and the left wing clipped a tree. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but the pilot was unharmed. There was minor damage to the surrounding area.
- Cross-country cruise: During the Swiss gliding championship, the pilot was returning cross-country toward Birrfeld in the Standard Libelle after a task leg.
- Unexpected strong sink: While still about 10 km from Birrfeld and at roughly 1000 m MSL over Thalheim, the glider encountered an unanticipated strong height loss due to downdrafts.
- Low altitude reserve: At about 1000 m MSL with only ~500 m usable height to cover the remaining distance, the altitude margin to safely reach Birrfeld was limited.
- Decision to outland: Recognizing he could no longer reach Birrfeld, the pilot selected a field near the Schinznach Dorf–Schinznach Bad road for an outlanding and assessed it with a few circles.
- Tight low-height circuit: Flying north of the field with tailwind at about 150 m AGL, the pilot, confronted with increasing sink, initiated the first 90-degree right turn earlier than planned at about 90 km/h and immediately followed with the second right turn while further increasing speed.
- Wing strikes obstacles: During the second right turn in continued strong sink, the right wing contacted the adjacent main road and fence, then the left wing struck a tree, and the fuselage impacted the ground, slewing about 90 degrees from the intended landing direction.
- Outlanding - damage: The glider sustained severe damage to the fuselage, tail, and right wing while the pilot remained uninjured and only minor ground damage occurred.