Ka 8B undershoots landing at Olten airfield, resulting in damage
On April 27, 1968, an Alexander Schleicher K 8B was involved in an incident at Olten Airfield in Switzerland. During the final approach, the aircraft undershot the runway and made an emergency landing in a gravel pit located near the airfield. The pilot, who had recently resumed flying after a break, was uninjured, but the glider sustained significant damage. The investigation noted that the pilot misjudged the effect of the prevailing wind conditions, which contributed to the incident.
- Aerotow cross-country: After an aerotow to about 500 m above Olten, the pilot climbed in lift to around 1100 m and drifted toward the Aarau area before returning toward Olten.
- Low recent experience: The pilot had only about 40 hours total gliding experience and was flying solo after a 1½‑year interruption in his training.
- Headwind on return: On the return leg from the Aarau area the pilot encountered significant headwind, reducing his groundspeed and usable range.
- Misjudged wind in circuit: Arriving north abeam the runway threshold at about 210 m indicated altitude, the pilot planned a standard circuit but misjudged the effect of the southwest wind on his groundspeed and required height.
- Continued low final: He turned from downwind through base onto final for runway 23, allowing the approach to become too low under the prevailing wind conditions instead of adjusting his pattern or selecting an earlier landing area.
- Attempted berm landing: Realizing he could not reach the runway, the pilot attempted to land on the upper edge of the gravel pit about 100–120 m before the threshold, turning left close to the ground.
- Outlanding - damage: During the low left turn the wingtip struck the ground, resulting in a crash landing on the slope of the gravel pit that significantly damaged the glider but left the pilot uninjured.