SZD-12A Kollision mit Baum während des Tiefflug-Anflugs in der Nähe des Flugplatzes Courtelary

Am 9. Juli 1973 kollidierte eine SZD SZD-12A Mucha 100A während eines Tiefflug-Anflugs in der Nähe des Flugplatzes Courtelary, Schweiz, mit einem Baum. Der Pilot, der unverletzt blieb, versuchte nach dem Auftreten von Abwinden auf einem Feld zu landen. Trotz Bemühungen, an Höhe zu gewinnen, traf das Segelflugzeug einen Baum und kam im Flussbett zum Stillstand. Das Flugzeug erlitt erhebliche Schäden, aber es wurden keine Verletzungen gemeldet. Der Abschlussbericht identifizierte den Unfall als Folge eines Anflugs in zu geringer Höhe.

1. Aerotow local soaring: The pilot aerotowed from Courtelary runway 07 and released near the ridge north of Cortébert at about 700 m QFE for a local soaring flight.
2. Weak lift conditions: After release the pilot found no usable lift near the ridge and then only weak 0.5–1 m/s climbs over Courtelary, indicating marginal soaring conditions.
3. Low circuit altitude: The pilot remained in the circuit area over Courtelary at altitudes down to about 250 m QFE and repeatedly flew left-hand turns in final approach instead of committing to a standard landing pattern as required.
4. Encountering strong sink: While turning left over Courtelary and briefly gaining 50–60 m, the glider then encountered descending air of about 3–4 m/s when on a northerly heading.
5. Continued low turns: The pilot continued the left turn through to a southerly heading to try to return to the aerodrome despite the strong sink and already low height.
6. Forced field landing: Realizing he could no longer reach the runway due to continued sink and insufficient altitude, the pilot elected to attempt a landing in a field parallel to the Suze north of the aerodrome and initiated a low-altitude turn onto the field axis.
7. Crash - no injury: During the low-altitude turn toward the field the left wingtip struck a tree on the north bank of the Suze, and the glider crashed into the riverbed and pivoted, sustaining serious damage while the pilot was uninjured.