Ka 6 outlanding incident near Köniz results in significant damage and minor injury
On April 10, 1971, an Alexander Schleicher Ka 6 CR experienced an outlanding near Köniz, Switzerland. The pilot attempted to avoid obstacles during the landing, resulting in a wingtip striking the ground. The glider sustained significant damage, including a destroyed wing and a broken fuselage. The pilot suffered minor injuries. The investigation confirmed that the landing decision was made too late to select a suitable field.
- Aerotow cross-country: The pilot launched by aerotow from Flughafen Bern for a training cross-country flight and climbed to about 1700 m over the northern end of the Längenberg.
- Flight too far leeward: The pilot flew about 9 km behind the Längenberg ridge toward Schwarzwasserbrücke, entering the lee side where sink prevailed and losing significant altitude.
- Late landing decision: The decision to abandon the flight and outland was made objectively too late, leaving insufficient time to select and tactically approach a suitable field.
- Committed to narrow valley: With insufficient height to return, the pilot committed to an outlanding in the narrow, obstacle-filled Gurtentäli valley and aligned along the valley floor.
- Obstacle avoidance maneuvers: Following the valley, the pilot crossed a 16 kV power line at a shallow angle, then pushed for speed to clear a transverse low-voltage/telephone line and attempted to pull up over it before deciding to pass underneath.
- Abrupt turn, wingtip strike: To avoid a mast on the left while passing under the line, the pilot made a brusque right turn, causing the right wingtip to catch in the soft field and the left wing to tear through the telephone wires.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider impacted nose-first, destroying the right wing and breaking the fuselage, while the pilot sustained a minor head injury and nearby telephone lines and ground were slightly damaged.