Ka 4 Rhönlerche II collision with airfield marker during landing at Fricktal Schupfart
On August 16, 1970, a Ka 4 Rhönlerche II experienced a collision with a runway marker at Fricktal Schupfart Airfield. The incident occurred after a student pilot lost control during the landing phase following a steep approach. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but the student pilot was uninjured. Weather conditions were stable with no turbulence, and no other aircraft were in the vicinity during the incident. The report highlights the lack of a target landing strip as a potential factor in the incident.
- Solo landing approach: During his first solo flight at Schupfart, the student flew a normal circuit and turned onto final for runway 26 after descending to about 180 m AGL.
- Steep glissade with brakes: On final the student initiated a right sideslip (glissade) and simultaneously extended the airbrakes, producing an unusually steep approach path over the maize field.
- Low solo experience: The student was in the early phase of solo training with limited solo time and this was his first solo landing at Schupfart.
- No landing reference: No target landing strip or landing T was laid out on the airfield, reducing visual landing guidance for the student.
- Loss of composure low: At about 8 m above the maize field the student, surprised by the rapid arrival in ground proximity, became disoriented and reported that he 'lost his head'.
- Improper flare and rollout: He retracted the airbrakes and pushed the glider down slightly right-wing-low, touching down about 40 m before the runway and rolling at high speed off the landing line toward the runway edge markers without visible corrective steering.
- Crash - no injury: The glider continued uncontrolled and collided with the concrete runway edge marker, heavily damaging the aircraft while the student remained uninjured.