Diamant 18 Absturz in der Nähe von Heiden führt zum Tod des Piloten

Am 5. Juli 1968 stürzte ein Glasflügel Diamant 18 in der Nähe von Heiden, Schweiz, ab, was zum Tod des Piloten führte. Der Pilot, ein schwedischer Staatsbürger, war vom Flugplatz Altenrhein zu einem Orientierungsflug gestartet. Nach dem Ausklinken in etwa 1400 Metern Höhe sank das Segelflugzeug ab und stürzte zwischen 17:15 und 17:20 MEZ am Bischofsberg ab. Das Flugzeug wurde beim Aufprall zerstört. Die Untersuchung ergab, dass der Pilot wahrscheinlich die Kontrolle verlor, obwohl die genauen Gründe unklar bleiben.

1. Aerotow climb: The pilot launched by aerotow from Altenrhein at 1706 MEZ for an orientation flight in the Diamant 18, following the previously flown test-flight tow route.
2. Early tow release: Around 1715 MEZ, in calm air near St. Anton at about 1400 m MSL (roughly 1000 m above Altenrhein), the pilot unexpectedly released from tow earlier than planned.
3. Undocumented flight path: After release the glider flew out of sight of the tow pilot and no witnesses could later reconstruct the subsequent flight path until shortly before impact.
4. Low hillside flight: Shortly before the accident the glider was observed flying along the steep north slope of Bischofsberg roughly 100 m or less above the ground, heading from the ski lift area toward the northeast.
5. Loss of control descent: Witnesses reported apparent wing flexing or perceived flutter noises, after which the glider descended and impacted the slope in an almost vertical, left-turning attitude, indicating loss of control at low height.
6. Crash - fatal: The glider struck the north slope of Bischofsberg nearly vertically and was destroyed, fatally injuring the pilot.