Accidente de un SZD-24 C durante los campeonatos de vuelo a vela del oeste de Suiza cerca de Savièse, Suiza
El 17 de mayo de 1969, un SZD SZD-24 C se estrelló cerca de Savièse, Suiza, durante los campeonatos de vuelo a vela del oeste de Suiza. El planeador entró en pérdida durante un giro y se impactó contra una ladera boscosa, resultando en la destrucción de la aeronave. El piloto sufrió heridas leves. El incidente se atribuyó a una pérdida de velocidad durante un giro, según confirmó el informe oficial de investigación.
- 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.