Absturz eines SHK 1 bei Tiefflugmanöver in der Nähe von Piz Murtel, Schweiz

Am 19. Juli 1969 stürzte ein Schempp-Hirth SHK 1 in der Nähe von Piz Murtel, Schweiz, ab, als er versuchte, Seilbahndrähte zu vermeiden. Der Pilot, der in geringer Höhe flog, verlor die Kontrolle und geriet ins Trudeln. Trotz der Erholung aus dem Trudeln prallte das Segelflugzeug auf einen schneebedeckten Hang, was zu schweren Verletzungen des Piloten und zur Zerstörung des Flugzeugs führte. Die Untersuchung bestätigte keine technischen Mängel am Segelflugzeug, und der Absturz wurde auf den Kontrollverlust des Piloten während des Manövrierens zurückgeführt.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.