Ka 6 accident during aerotow launch at Buttwil airfield, pilot injured
On May 15, 1971, an Alexander Schleicher Ka 6 CR was involved in an accident during an aerotow launch at Buttwil Airfield, Switzerland. The glider's right wingtip touched the ground shortly after takeoff, leading to a loss of control. The tow rope released at approximately 10-15 meters altitude, after which the glider entered a steep right turn and crashed. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the glider was destroyed. No significant third-party damage occurred.
- Aerotow ground roll: During an aerotow takeoff on runway 34, the Ka-6 CR began its ground roll behind the towplane.
- Right wingtip strike: Shortly after the wing runner released the left wing, the glider’s right wingtip touched the ground, yawing the aircraft slightly to the right.
- Incorrect rudder inputs: Instead of correcting left, the pilot applied right rudder then neutral, followed by about three further incorrect right rudder inputs during the continued takeoff roll.
- Large right offset on tow: By the end of the runway at about 10–15 m AGL, the glider was significantly displaced to the right of the towplane and began to yaw further right.
- Tow rope release: At approximately 10–15 m AGL, the tow rope released from the glider as it was turning to the right, either by pilot action or automatic safety release.
- Stall in steep right turn: After release, the glider entered a nose-high right turn, dropped below minimum speed, and rolled off over the right wing.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider impacted the ground about 60 m right of the runway centerline and 40 m beyond the runway end, destroying the aircraft and causing minor injuries to the pilot.