Kollision in der Luft zwischen SF-25 B und Piper PA-18 in der Nähe des Flugplatzes Bern-Belp

Am 13. Mai 1973 ereignete sich in der Nähe des Flugplatzes Bern-Belp eine Kollision in der Luft zwischen einem Scheibe SF-25 B Motorsegler und einer Piper PA-18, die einen DFS Kranich III schleppte. Die Kollision geschah in einer Höhe von 120-150 Metern während des Anflugs der SF-25 B. Der Motorsegler stürzte ab, wobei der Pilot und der Passagier ums Leben kamen. Die Piper PA-18 konnte südlich des Flugplatzes eine Notlandung durchführen, und der DFS Kranich III landete sicher in Bern-Belp. Der Vorfall wurde auf eine unangemessene Flugbahn und unzureichende Luftraumbeobachtung zurückgeführt.

1. Self-launch training flight: The SF-25 B motor glider HB-2017 departed Bern-Belp on a local training flight with the pilot and his wife on board, later flying engine-off circles in the glider holding area.
2. Low recent experience: The motor glider pilot had not flown a motor glider since September 1972 and had very little recent powered or glider flight time, reducing his currency in the type.
3. Self-launch landing approach: With the engine stopped, the SF-25 B left the glider circling area over Hüenerhubel and flew a descending straight-in path toward the downwind leg (Gegengerade) for landing at Bern-Belp.
4. Converging with aerotow: At about 120–150 m AGL, the descending SF-25 B on a straight course toward the field converged nearly at right angles with a Piper PA-18 towing a Kranich III that was climbing out and turning left across the airfield.
5. Poor lookout and routing: The tow pilot flew the aerotow through the glider circling/approach area on an unsuitable departure path and did not adequately detect the motor glider, while the motor glider pilot may have been hampered by low sun glare.
6. Late evasive turn: Only 20–30 meters before impact, the SF-25 B pilot initiated a steep, slightly nose-high left turn in an attempt to avoid the tow, placing the aircraft briefly near knife-edge attitude.
7. Crash - fatal: The SF-25 B collided with the towplane, then entered a spiral dive and impacted the ground near Bern-Belp, destroying the motor glider and fatally injuring the pilot and passenger.