Colisión del Ka 8 B con línea eléctrica durante aterrizaje en campo cerca de Gstaad

El 29 de julio de 1968, un Alexander Schleicher Ka 8 B experimentó un incidente cerca de Gstaad, Suiza. El piloto intentó un aterrizaje en campo en un prado, pero se aproximó al campo elegido con aproximadamente 15 metros de altura de más. Durante una maniobra correctiva, el ala izquierda colisionó con un mástil de línea eléctrica, causando daños significativos a la aeronave. A pesar de la colisión, el piloto no resultó herido. El informe oficial atribuye el accidente a un error de juicio del piloto durante la aproximación de aterrizaje.

1. Cross-country flight: After an aerotow launch from Zweisimmen, the pilot conducted a cross-country soaring flight toward the Col du Pillon and then began returning toward Saanen.
2. Unable reach Saanen: On return toward Saanen, the glider encountered about 3 m/s sink near Gstaad and the pilot realized he could no longer reach the Saanen airfield.
3. Late outlanding decision: The pilot decided to perform an outlanding only at about 100–150 m above ground instead of the recommended minimum of around 300 m, leaving little margin for planning.
4. Tight landing circuit: Under time pressure and with limited height, the pilot flew an overly tight landing circuit to the selected meadow surrounded by buildings, fences, and power lines.
5. High approach correction: Finding himself about 15 m too high on final to the chosen field, the pilot attempted to change his landing plan by initiating a 270° right turn to land at a different angle to the meadow.
6. Wing hits power mast: During the low-altitude 270° turn, the left wingtip struck a wooden power line mast, violently yawing the glider to the left just a few meters above the ground.
7. Outlanding - damage: The glider touched down out of control on the meadow and slid into a barn wall, sustaining substantial wing and fuselage damage while the pilot remained uninjured.