Colisión del Slingsby Skylark 3 con árboles cerca de Val de Morgins, Suiza
El 9 de julio de 1972, un planeador Slingsby Skylark 3 despegó del aeródromo de Bex para un vuelo de entrenamiento en la región de Morgins. Durante el vuelo, el mecanismo de liberación automática se activó, separando el planeador del remolque a una altitud de 1925 metros. El piloto continuó el vuelo pero encontró turbulencias. Mientras maniobraba cerca de Val de Morgins, el planeador colisionó con árboles y se estrelló en un pastizal en un ángulo pronunciado. El piloto sufrió heridas graves y el planeador fue destruido. La investigación concluyó que el accidente probablemente fue causado por una velocidad aérea insuficiente en condiciones turbulentas.
- Aerotow training flight: The pilot departed Bex airfield on an aerotow in a Slingsby Skylark 3 for a training flight in the Morgins area.
- Inadvertent tow release: In strong turbulence while entering the Val de Morgins from the north, the glider’s automatic release opened and the glider unintentionally separated from the tow at about 1925 m.
- Low pilot experience: The pilot had a total of 23 hours 28 minutes gliding experience, with only 3 hours 13 minutes on the Skylark 3 type.
- Turbulent slope conditions: The flight took place in locally turbulent conditions associated with weak foehn and thermal activity while flying close to the south-facing slope in the Val de Morgins.
- Low, slow slope flying: After release the pilot continued toward Morgins, then flew along the south side of the valley at low height, attempting to gain altitude in weak slope lift while remaining slightly below the crest.
- Loss of airspeed, sink: While turning right near a forested area slightly below the ridge, the glider apparently lost airspeed in turbulence, descended rapidly, and struck the tops of spruce trees with the right wing.
- Crash - serious injury: After contacting the trees the glider crashed onto a pasture at about a 45° angle at 1805 m, seriously injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.