Accidente de Phoebus C durante aproximación turbulenta en el aeródromo de Montricher
El 29 de junio de 1971, un planeador Bölkow Phoebus C encontró dificultades durante su aproximación final al aeródromo de Montricher en Suiza. El piloto, habiéndose soltado del remolque cerca de Orbe, intentó planear hasta Montricher pero se enfrentó a fuertes turbulencias y corrientes descendentes. Durante la aproximación a la pista 03, el planeador entró en pérdida y se estrelló, quedando invertido en un campo. El piloto sufrió heridas graves y el planeador resultó significativamente dañado. La investigación oficial confirmó que el accidente fue el resultado de una pérdida de velocidad en condiciones de viento cruzado turbulento.
- Aerotow cross-country: The pilot was aerotowed from Neuchâtel and released near Orbe at about 1700 m MSL to glide toward Montricher airfield.
- Turbulent crosswind joran: At Montricher a W–NW joran wind of 10–15 knots produced moderate turbulence and downdrafts near the terrain, creating challenging approach conditions.
- Low, close downwind: During the left-hand downwind for runway 03, the pilot ended up too low and too close to the runway axis, likely underestimating the strength of the crosswind.
- Strong turbulence encountered: While flying the left-hand downwind leg for runway 03, the glider encountered strong turbulence and downdrafts that caused a rapid loss of altitude.
- Circuit shortened: As altitude decreased quickly, the pilot shortened the landing circuit and initiated a final 180° turn about 150 m before the runway threshold.
- Stall in final turn: In the turbulent air during the 180° turn toward runway 03, the glider’s airspeed became insufficient, it stalled on the left wing, and the pilot lost control.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider descended to the ground and came to rest inverted in a field near Montricher at 19:15, seriously injuring the pilot and causing severe damage to the aircraft.