SHK 1 crash during low-altitude maneuvering near Piz Murtel, Switzerland
On July 19, 1969, a Schempp-Hirth SHK 1 crashed near Piz Murtel, Switzerland, while attempting to avoid cable car wires. The pilot, who was flying at low altitude, lost control and entered a spin. Despite recovering from the spin, the glider impacted a snow-covered slope, resulting in severe injuries to the pilot and destruction of the aircraft. Investigation confirmed no technical faults with the glider, and the crash was attributed to the pilot's loss of control while maneuvering.
- Ridge soaring flight: After a winch launch from Samedan, the pilot conducted ridge and mountain soaring, eventually arriving near the Corvatsch ridge slightly above crest height and then flying along the west side.
- Low height near cables: The pilot began circling in weak lift only about 50 m above the Corvatsch cable car upper station, in close proximity to the cable car wires and terrain.
- High weight, aft CG: The glider was about 7 kg over maximum permitted weight with the center of gravity in the rear part of the allowable range, conditions known to influence stall and spin behavior.
- Tight turn to avoid cables: When he sank to around ridge height and perceived a risk of getting close to the cable car wires, the pilot tightened a left turn by increasing bank from about 30° to 45° while simultaneously pulling back on the stick.
- Stall and spin entry: The increased bank and back pressure at low speed led to exceeding the critical angle of attack, causing buffet and an abrupt wing drop into a right spin from low altitude.
- Spin recovery attempt: The pilot applied recovery inputs and succeeded in stopping the spin after roughly three-quarters of a turn, but remained very close to the snow-covered slope.
- Crash - serious injury: With insufficient height remaining to complete the recovery and flare, the glider impacted the 36° snow slope nose-first at about 100 km/h near Piz Murtel, seriously injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.