Incidente del Ka 4 Rhönlerche II durante entrenamiento cerca del aeródromo de Schänis

El 14 de agosto de 1967, un vuelo de entrenamiento con un Alexander Schleicher Ka 4 Rhönlerche II encontró dificultades cerca del aeródromo de Schänis en Suiza. El piloto estudiante, con experiencia de vuelo limitada, intentó regresar al aeródromo pero no pudo superar una línea eléctrica en el sector de aproximación. Durante un giro a la derecha para evitar el obstáculo, el planeador entró en pérdida y se estrelló desde baja altura. El piloto estudiante sufrió heridas leves y el planeador resultó significativamente dañado. El incidente destaca los desafíos enfrentados durante los aterrizajes en campo en escenarios de entrenamiento.

1. Aerotow training flight: A student pilot on a solo training flight launched by aerotow from Schänis for a local soaring flight with a maximum planned duration of 45 minutes.
2. Instruction not followed: Contrary to his instructor’s briefing to release at 700 m above the airfield and end the hang flight by 500 m, the student released early at 600 m, leaving little time to find lift.
3. Late decision to return: After failing to find lift and descending to about 350 m above the airfield near Ziegelbrücke, the student only then recognized he could not reach the airfield, which was too late for a safe return.
4. Obstacle in approach path: On attempting to return toward Schänis, the student realized he no longer had sufficient height to overfly the high‑voltage power line crossing the approach sector to runway 35.
5. Low-speed turn for outlanding: The student decided to outland in a field parallel to the power line and, flying at only about 50 km/h near minimum speed, initiated a right turn before the line.
6. Stall in low turn: While starting the right turn, he pulled slightly on the control stick, the glider entered an over‑stalled condition, and it departed controlled flight by stalling over the right wing at very low height.
7. Crash - minor injury: The glider impacted the ground at a steep angle during the attempted outlanding, sustaining substantial damage while the student pilot received only minor injuries.