Incidente de Elfe S4 durante el aterrizaje en Wenslingen resulta en la destrucción del planeador y lesiones al piloto
El 6 de agosto de 1973, un planeador Neukom Elfe S4 experimentó un incidente de aterrizaje cerca de Wenslingen, Suiza. El piloto, que participaba en un curso de entrenamiento, encontró turbulencias y corrientes descendentes, lo que llevó a un intento de aterrizaje en campo. Durante la aproximación de aterrizaje, el planeador entró en pérdida y se estrelló, resultando en la destrucción del planeador y lesiones al piloto. El informe oficial identificó el uso de una aproximación de aterrizaje inadecuada y la falta de mantenimiento de la velocidad mínima de vuelo como causas probables.
- 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.