Zusammenstoß in der Luft von zwei K8B-Segelflugzeugen nahe dem Flugplatz Schupfart führt zu einem Todesfall

Am 25. Juni 1972 kollidierten zwei Alexander Schleicher K 8 B Segelflugzeuge in der Luft etwa 2,5 km süd-südwestlich des Flugplatzes Schupfart in der Schweiz. Die Kollision ereignete sich, als der Pilot eines Segelflugzeugs von hinten in das andere flog. Der Pilot des ersten Segelflugzeugs konnte sich mit einem Fallschirmabsprung retten, während der andere Pilot tödlich verletzt wurde, als sein Flugzeug abstürzte. Der Vorfall führte zur Zerstörung eines Segelflugzeugs und schweren Schäden am anderen. Die Wetterbedingungen waren klar, und es wurden keine technischen Mängel an den Flugzeugen gemeldet.

1. Thermaling in gaggle: Both K8B gliders HB-906 and HB-738 were thermaling in right-hand circles at similar altitude, laterally offset within the same general lift area near Schupfart.
2. HB-906 turns toward HB-738: The pilot of HB-906 leveled out of his right-hand turn, left his own lift area, and flew directly toward HB-738 from behind and to its left at approximately the same altitude.
3. Inadequate lookout: Investigators considered that the HB-906 pilot may not have seen HB-738, possibly due to sun glare, a blind spot, or insufficient airspace scanning while maneuvering in the thermal.
4. HB-738 evasive turn: Seeing HB-906 flying toward him on a collision course, the HB-738 pilot tightened his right-hand turn as steeply as possible in an attempt to avoid impact.
5. Mid-air collision: HB-906’s canopy area struck the left aileron of HB-738, and subsequent contact between HB-906’s right wing and HB-738’s tailplane caused severe structural damage to both gliders.
6. Bailout from HB-738: After HB-738 entered a flat spin, its pilot opened the canopy, released his harness, and successfully bailed out under parachute, while HB-906’s pilot jettisoned the canopy and opened his belts but did not or could not complete a parachute escape.
7. Crash - fatal: HB-906 entered a descending inverted spiral and crashed into a steep wooded slope fatally injuring its pilot, while HB-738, though heavily damaged, was left without pilot on board after the successful bailout.