Pérdida de sustentación lleva a accidente fatal de K 8 B en Ritzingeralp durante vuelo alpino
El 2 de agosto de 1972, el planeador Ka 8B HB-810 se estrelló en la Ritzingeralp durante un vuelo de montaña. El piloto, que carecía de experiencia suficiente en vuelo de montaña, descendió por debajo de la velocidad mínima de vuelo en una zona de descenso, lo que provocó la pérdida de control. Testigos informaron haber visto al avión inclinarse antes del impacto. El piloto falleció en el accidente y la aeronave quedó completamente destruida. La investigación indicó que el malestar del piloto y su escasa experiencia contribuyeron al incidente.
- Aerotow alpine soaring: The pilot aerotowed from Münster at 11:50 for an alpine soaring flight in the Ka 8B after only a brief prior mountain-flying checkout.
- Limited mountain experience: The pilot had no prior mountain soaring experience beyond a single 23‑minute dual checkout flight, providing only minimal familiarization with local alpine conditions.
- Pilot unwell in flight: During the 3‑hour flight the pilot vomited in the cockpit, indicating he was unwell and likely had reduced attention and performance.
- Entry into strong sink: While flying near the Ritzingeralp on the lee side of the main ridge, the glider entered a pronounced downdraft zone.
- Airspeed decays too low: In the downdraft the glider’s speed dropped below minimum safe flying speed at a height of roughly 70–120 m above ground, without timely corrective pitch input.
- Stall and spin entry: The glider began to buffet, then abruptly rolled off over the left wing and entered a left spin from low altitude.
- Crash - fatal: After about one turn of left spin the Ka 8B impacted the Ritzingeralp terrain nose‑down and was destroyed, fatally injuring the pilot.