SZD-24 C crash during west Swiss gliding championships near Savièse, Switzerland
On May 17, 1969, an SZD SZD-24 C crashed near Savièse, Switzerland during the west Swiss gliding championships. The glider entered a spin while turning and impacted a wooded hillside, resulting in the aircraft's destruction. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The incident was attributed to a loss of speed during a turn, as confirmed by the official investigation report.
- Ridge soaring task: During a competition triangle task, the pilot was ridge-soaring below an inversion layer along the Crêta Besse area after passing the start line.
- Turbulent ridge conditions: Strong turbulence generated by the contrast between rocky slopes and forested terrain along the ridges made controlled flight more demanding for the pilot, who was not very familiar with Alpine flying.
- Low speed in turns: While hang-soaring the pilot maintained a relatively low airspeed of about 75–85 km/h, leaving limited margin above stall when maneuvering in turbulence.
- Tight left turn: The pilot initiated a relatively tight left turn away from the slope while ridge-soaring near Crêta Besse.
- Stall and spin entry: Due to speed loss in the turn under turbulent conditions, the glider stalled and entered a left spin.
- Spin recovery attempt: After about one turn the pilot managed to stop the rotation in the same direction and then attempted to follow a stone-slope line and climb over bordering fir trees.
- Crash - minor injury: Unable to clear the trees, the pilot pushed the nose between two firs on a steep wooded slope, resulting in the glider’s destruction and minor injuries to himself.