Spalinger S 18 III incident at Spreitenbach Flugplatz: on-ground collision during training landing
On June 16, 1968, a Spalinger S 18 III experienced an on-ground collision at Spreitenbach Flugplatz in Switzerland. During a training flight, the glider, piloted by a student, landed and its right wingtip struck the left arm of the flight instructor, who was moving onto the runway to assist with the glider's retrieval. The instructor suffered a broken arm, and the glider sustained minor damage to its right wing. Weather conditions were clear with moderate southwest winds. The investigation concluded that the incident resulted from inappropriate actions by the flight instructor.
- Landing approach: During a training flight landing on runway 28, the student flew the S-18 on final approach in moderate southwest wind.
- Downwind drift on final: The student did not adequately compensate for the southwest crosswind and was drifted to the right during the approach, touching down only a few meters from a glider parked in the field corner.
- Instructor moves onto runway: The supervising instructor, carrying a start roller, began walking out from his position near the parked glider onto the landing area during the student’s end of final and rollout to assist with the glider’s retrieval.
- Instructor in wingspan: While the glider was in the landing flare and float after first ground contact, the instructor moved into the wingspan area of the landing aircraft.
- Crash - serious injury: Shortly after first touchdown, the right wingtip struck the instructor’s left forearm, breaking the bone and causing minor damage to the glider’s right wing.