Atterrissage forcé du Kranich III après largage près de l'aérodrome de Bex

Le 29 juin 1969, un DFS Kranich III a décollé de l'aérodrome de Bex avec un pilote et un passager. Peu après le décollage, le pilote a largué la corde de remorquage lorsque l'avion remorqueur avait du mal à prendre de l'altitude. Le planeur a effectué un atterrissage forcé, entraînant des dommages importants à l'appareil. Le pilote et le passager sont restés indemnes. L'enquête a confirmé que les aérofreins avaient été déployés par inadvertance pendant le décollage, affectant les performances de l'avion remorqueur.

1. Aerotow takeoff: The Kranich III HB-538 with a pilot and passenger began an aerotow takeoff from Bex airfield at 14:34.
2. Airbrakes extend: During the takeoff roll or initial climb, the glider’s airbrakes became deployed without the pilot noticing, increasing drag.
3. Undetected airbrakes: The pilot was unaware that the airbrakes were out, so the abnormal drag condition persisted during the climb.
4. Tow cannot climb: The additional drag from the extended airbrakes prevented the tow plane from gaining sufficient height after liftoff.
5. Tow rope released: Recognizing that the tow combination was not climbing, the glider pilot released the tow rope shortly after takeoff.
6. Hard landing - damage: The pilot carried out a forced landing near Bex, during which the glider was severely damaged but both occupants were uninjured.