Ka 8 B collision during landing at Schänis airfield resulting in injury

On August 19, 1968, an Alexander Schleicher K 8B collided with two stationary gliders during landing at Schänis airfield, Switzerland. The pilot, attempting to land on runway 35, misjudged the approach and collided with a parked Rhönlerche and a Ka 8 B. The pilot of the K 8B sustained serious injuries, requiring a five-week hospital stay. The K 8B was heavily damaged, while the Rhönlerche and the other Ka 8 B sustained minor damage. The incident was attributed to incorrect approach corrections confirmed in the investigation report.

1. Landing approach: After a local soaring flight, the pilot of Ka 8 B HB-679 returned to Schänis and set up a relatively long and high final approach to runway 35.
2. Obstacles on runway: A Ka 8 B (HB-806) was lined up waiting for aerotow near the right edge of runway 35 and a Rhönlerche (HB-586) was parked just beyond the right runway edge with its wing protruding into the airspace at the threshold.
3. Misjudged height after slip: To correct his high approach the pilot performed a slip, then believed he had become too low even though an experienced observer judged his height still adequate.
4. Aimed short landing: The pilot decided to touch down before the runway and extended the airbrakes halfway, committing himself to land on a path leading toward the stationary gliders.
5. Late go-over attempt: Realizing that rollout would collide with the gliders, he retracted the airbrakes and slightly turned right, attempting to float between and above the parked aircraft instead of turning left into the open grass area.
6. Collision with gliders: With insufficient height remaining, HB-679’s right wingtip struck the left wing of the parked Rhönlerche and its left wing rammed the right wing of the waiting Ka 8 B, rotating the latter about 90 degrees.
7. Crash - serious injury: After the collisions HB-679 continued about 30 m, then impacted the ground with about 30° nose-down attitude, rotated roughly 130° with its left wing torn off, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and heavy damage to the glider.