Elfe S4 incident during landing at Wenslingen results in aircraft destruction and pilot injury
On August 6, 1973, a Neukom Elfe S4 experienced a landing incident near Wenslingen, Switzerland. The pilot, participating in a training course, encountered turbulence and downdrafts, leading to an attempted outlanding on a field. During the landing approach, the glider stalled and crashed, resulting in the aircraft being destroyed and the pilot sustaining injuries. The official report identified the use of an unsuitable landing approach and the failure to maintain minimum flight speed as probable causes.
- Cross-country landing: During a cross-country training flight after aerotow departure from Courtelary, the pilot prepared for an off-field landing near Wenslingen due to loss of lift.
- Downdrafts and turbulence: In the area around Zeglingen the pilot encountered downdrafts and turbulence, forcing him to descend toward the Wenslingen plateau.
- Obstructed landing approach: The selected field was suitable in size and surface but had a 10 m high power line crossing the approach path about 90 m before the landing area.
- Spiral over landing field: Instead of flying a standard landing circuit, the pilot chose to circle down in a sink spiral over the landing field from about 100 m AGL with the power line cutting across his flight path.
- Low tight base-to-final: After 3–4 full circles, the pilot extended the landing gear at low height and initiated a very tight 180° turn in front of the power line masts to align with the landing direction.
- Stall in steep turn: While banked and slipping left in this low-altitude turn, the glider was flown below minimum speed and stalled about 10 m above ground, departing over the left wing.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider crashed into a clover field approximately 77 m short of the intended landing area and 13 m abeam the power line, destroying the aircraft and injuring the pilot.