Ka 8 B undershoots landing approach at Grenchen Airport, stalls before touchdown
On May 13, 1972, a pilot flying an Alexander Schleicher K 8 B attempted to land at Grenchen Airport after a 5-hour flight. The pilot misjudged the height during the approach and did not adequately account for the strong headwind. As a result, the aircraft approached too low and stalled while trying to clear a road before the runway. The glider suffered significant damage upon impact, but the pilot was uninjured. The investigation confirmed the pilot's approach was too low, leading to the stall.
- Aerotow cross-country: After an aerotow departure from Grenchen, the pilot flew a K 8 B for over five hours to meet the silver badge duration requirement.
- Limited experience: The pilot had a total of 37 flight hours, 29 of them on type, which limited his overall experience in managing demanding approach conditions.
- Headwind on approach: A relatively strong northeasterly headwind was present during the approach, increasing the required approach height and energy.
- Approach flown too low: On returning to Grenchen after the five-hour flight, the pilot misjudged his height and flew the final approach too low relative to the runway threshold.
- Attempt to stretch glide: At about 80–85 km/h the pilot attempted to stretch the glide to clear a road crossing in front of the landing area instead of accepting the low approach path.
- Stall and sink near ground: By pitching up at relatively low speed the pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack, the glider sank through in ground proximity, and impacted the ground hard before the intended landing flare.
- Hard landing - damage: The glider came to a stop after a short ground run with severe structural damage, while the pilot remained uninjured.