Aterrizaje forzoso del Ka 4 Rhönlerche II con fuerte viento cruzado cerca del aeródromo de Schaffhausen
El 6 de junio de 1972, un Ka 4 Rhönlerche II intentó un vuelo de cinco horas desde el aeródromo de Schaffhausen en Suiza. Debido al deterioro de las condiciones meteorológicas, incluyendo una baja cobertura de nubes y lluvias ocasionales, el piloto intentó regresar al aeródromo pero no pudo debido a los vientos en contra. El piloto decidió aterrizar en un campo, pero tuvo que cambiar a un prado segado por falta de espacio. El planeador realizó un aterrizaje forzoso a 1 km al este del aeródromo con fuertes vientos cruzados, resultando en daños significativos a la aeronave. El piloto salió ileso y no hubo daños a terceros.
- Local soaring flight: The pilot departed Schaffhausen airfield at 1303 local time in the Rhönlerche II HB-669 for a planned five-hour soaring flight.
- Weather deterioration: During the flight, weather conditions deteriorated with low cloud base and occasional showers, forcing the pilot to abandon the planned task and return toward the airfield.
- Low altitude return: The pilot attempted to return to the airfield at low altitude and was unable to reach it due to headwind.
- Select first field: Recognizing he could not reach the airfield, the pilot planned a direct approach to a field located about halfway back to the airfield.
- Late field change: At approximately 40–50 meters above ground, the pilot realized the first field was insufficient and turned about 90 degrees left toward a mowed meadow to land there instead.
- Crosswind approach: The glider continued the low-altitude approach to the alternative meadow in strong crosswind conditions, reducing safety margins for the off-field landing.
- Outlanding - damage: At about 1318 local time the glider made a forced landing on the mowed meadow 1 km east of the airfield, resulting in a crash landing that heavily damaged the aircraft but left the pilot uninjured and caused no third-party damage.