Ka 4 Kollision mit Hindernis bei Landung am Flugplatz Montricher

Am 3. Juli 1972 fand ein Ausbildungsflug mit einer Alexander Schleicher Ka 4 Rhönlerche II in der Nähe des Flugplatzes Montricher, Schweiz, statt. Der Flugschüler versuchte unter Aufsicht eines Fluglehrers aufgrund von Desorientierung auf der falschen Landebahn zu landen. Der Fluglehrer griff ein, jedoch zu spät, was dazu führte, dass das Segelflugzeug mit einer Hecke kollidierte. Beide Insassen blieben unverletzt, und das Segelflugzeug erlitt nur geringe Schäden. Der Unfall wurde auf das verspätete Eingreifen des Fluglehrers während des Endanflugs in geringer Höhe zurückgeführt.

1. Aerotow training flight: A dual training flight in the Rhönlerche II HB-592 departed Montricher by aerotow with a student flying under instructor supervision.
2. Wrong runway selected: After release and two right-hand turns, the student initiated an approach to runway 03, mistakenly ignoring that runway 21 remained in use with a moderate to strong southwesterly wind.
3. Delayed instructor action: The instructor allowed the student to persist in planning the incorrect runway approach and only briefly took control once the error was evident, redirecting late toward the runway 21 circuit.
4. Low altitude on circuit: By abeam the runway threshold on downwind for runway 21, the glider’s height had reduced to about 120 m AGL and continued to decrease rapidly during a shortened base leg.
5. Late dive to clear hedge: On final, after crossing the BAM Apples–L’Isle railway line, the instructor took control and pushed the glider into a dive attempting to clear a 4–5 m high hedge about 175 m before the runway 21 threshold.
6. Impact with hedge: The glider failed to clear the obstacle, the left wing struck a branch, and the aircraft was further slowed by bushes at the hedge line.
7. Crash - no injury: The glider came to rest at the edge of the hedge near the runway with minor damage and both occupants uninjured.