Ka 8 B collision with tree during outlanding near Langnau am Albis
On April 25, 1970, a Ka 8 B was involved in an incident near Langnau am Albis, Switzerland. During a training flight, the pilot encountered downdrafts on the lee side of the Albiskette and was forced to perform an outlanding. While attempting to land on a hillside meadow, the left wing of the glider struck a tree, and the aircraft came to rest on a wire fence. The pilot was unharmed, but the glider sustained significant damage. The official report attributes the accident to inappropriate flight tactics.
- Aerotow cross-country: During a training flight after aerotow from Hausen am Albis, the pilot was soaring along the Albiskette and Sihltal following other gliders.
- Lee-side soaring: The pilot operated on the lee side of the Albiskette with insufficient altitude margin relative to the terrain and wind conditions.
- Encountered downdrafts: On the return along the Sihltal, the glider entered sinking air on the lee side and the pilot could no longer regain the windward side of the ridge.
- Outlanding decision: Over the Langenberg near Langnau am Albis, the pilot decided to abandon the flight and land in an uphill meadow at the western edge of the village.
- Shallow final approach: Because of limited remaining height, the pilot flew a flat final approach with airbrakes retracted instead of a steeper approach better suited to the gusty wind.
- Wind shift and sink: Shortly before reaching the chosen field, a wind shift caused the glider to lose height unexpectedly during the low final approach.
- Outlanding - damage: The left wingtip struck a tree about 3.5 m above ground, the glider then hit a wire fence and rotated before stopping in the field with serious structural damage but no pilot injury.