Bocian incident during foggy approach near Bad Ragaz airfield
On November 27, 1971, a Zaklady SZD-9 bis 1E Bocian experienced an incident near Bad Ragaz Airfield in Switzerland. During a control flight, the glider was released from tow at 160 meters due to fog and attempted to return to the airfield. Poor visibility led to an outlanding attempt, during which the glider collided with the ground after a steep right turn to avoid obstacles. The instructor was uninjured, while the student pilot sustained minor injuries. The glider suffered significant damage, but there were no third-party damages.
- Aerotow departure: The instructor and student began a control flight in Bocian HB-719 on aerotow from runway 30 at Bad Ragaz airfield.
- Tow enters fog: At about 160 m AGL the tow combination turned right away from the airfield and entered fog banks, significantly reducing visibility.
- Early tow release: The instructor released the glider from tow with the intention of returning immediately to the airfield due to the poor visibility.
- Field not located: Because of the very poor visibility in fog and diffuse lighting, the crew could not visually locate the airfield and had to plan an outlanding.
- Low-level avoiding turn: Shortly before the off-field landing, the crew flew a steep right turn at low height to avoid obstacles that were recognized very late.
- Wingtip ground contact: During the steep low-level right turn, the right wingtip struck the snow-covered ground, upsetting the glider's attitude.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider impacted the ground hard during the attempted outlanding, heavily damaging the aircraft, slightly injuring the student, and leaving the instructor uninjured.