Accidente del Karpf Baby durante remolque aéreo cerca del aeródromo de Hausen a.A., piloto herido

El 26 de mayo de 1973, un Karpf-Flugzeugbau Karpf Baby se estrelló cerca del aeródromo de Hausen a.A. en Suiza durante un lanzamiento por remolque aéreo. El planeador se soltó del remolque aproximadamente a 2 km del aeródromo e intentó girar de regreso al campo. Entró en pérdida y se estrelló desde una altura de unos 50 metros. El piloto sufrió heridas graves y la aeronave fue destruida. La investigación señaló que la velocidad del planeador cayó por debajo del mínimo requerido durante el giro.

1. Aerotow initial climb: The Karpf-Baby HB-504 began an aerotow training flight from Hausen a. Albis on runway 09 and entered a normal initial climb behind the towplane.
2. High tow speed: During the climb in bumpy conditions, the towplane flew at about 110–120 km/h, higher than recommended for the Karpf-Baby in such turbulence.
3. Uncommanded tow release: At about 100 m above ground and roughly 2 km from the airfield, the glider unexpectedly became detached from the towline for undetermined reasons.
4. Turn back toward field: After release, the glider flew straight for about 500 m and then the pilot initiated a low-altitude turn back toward the airfield.
5. Stall in turn: While completing the turn at about 50 m above ground with an aft-center-of-gravity loading, the glider’s airspeed dropped below minimum and it abruptly pitched nose-down.
6. Crash - serious injury: The glider dived into a field at a steep nose-down attitude, was destroyed, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.