Ka 6 BR encounters sudden weather changes during approach at Montricher airfield
On May 19, 1973, a Ka 6 BR glider was involved in an incident at Montricher Airfield in Switzerland. The pilot, on his first training flight of the season, encountered rapidly deteriorating weather conditions due to a passing cold front. Despite efforts to adjust the approach, strong winds and downdrafts forced the glider to land short of the runway, resulting in significant damage to the aircraft. The pilot was unharmed, and there were no injuries reported. The investigation confirmed that the sudden adverse weather conditions were the primary factor in the incident.
- Aerotow local soaring: The pilot departed Montricher by aerotow for his first training flight of the season and climbed in 1–3 m/s lift in the Mont-Tendre area.
- Weather deteriorates rapidly: A fast-moving cold front with strong gusts and rapidly worsening conditions approached, and at 2050 m QNH the pilot was instructed by radio to return due to the deteriorating weather.
- Strong gusty headwind: On return overhead the field the pilot estimated a strong surface wind of about 43 km/h from the windsock, with actual conditions including stronger gusts and turbulence than he anticipated.
- High approach, airbrakes used: Turning onto final for runway 21 at about 230 m AGL, the pilot judged himself too high and partially extended the airbrakes, reducing his altitude margin.
- Insufficient altitude margin: By the time a colleague on the ground advised him to retract the airbrakes, the remaining altitude was no longer sufficient to comfortably reach the runway threshold in the strong wind.
- Downdrafts on short final: On short final at 110–120 km/h the pilot encountered stronger-than-expected headwind and reported passing through a zone of downdrafts, further degrading his glide path after crossing the nearby railway line.
- Outlanding - damage: Unable to reach the runway, the glider touched down into a 4–5 m high hedge about 175 m short of the threshold, yawed a quarter turn left, and was badly damaged while the pilot remained uninjured.