Ka-8B collision with tree during approach in Saanen amid adverse weather

On July 5, 1972, a solo training flight in an Alexander Schleicher Ka-8B ended in a collision with a tree near Saanen, Switzerland. The pilot, who had limited flight experience, was returning to the airfield when adverse weather conditions, including rain and strong gusts, affected visibility and control. The glider's tail struck power lines before becoming lodged in a tree. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained significant damage. The incident was attributed to the pilot's failure to retract the air brakes and his limited experience in alpine conditions.

1. Aerotow local soaring: The pilot departed Saanen by aerotow in a Ka-8B for a first solo training flight in the area and released near Hornberg to soar locally.
2. Deteriorating weather: Showers and thunderstorms developed with rain, cloud build-up, and increasingly strong, variable winds in the Saanen area.
3. Low pilot experience: The pilot had limited total flight time and relatively little experience on type and in alpine soaring conditions.
4. Late decision to return: Despite the worsening weather, the pilot decided relatively late to break off the flight and return to Saanen from about 2300 m altitude.
5. High-speed descent with brakes: During the descent toward Saanen the pilot flew at about 130 km/h with airbrakes extended, experiencing rain and strong turbulence.
6. Forgot to retract airbrakes: While turning right onto final for runway 26 in turbulent, rain-reduced conditions, the pilot, distracted by the gusts and visibility issues, forgot to retract the airbrakes.
7. Crash - no injury: On short final the glider’s tail struck the Montreux–Oberland railway overhead line and the aircraft came to rest heavily damaged in a tree about 3 m above ground, with the pilot uninjured.