Ka 8B outlanding near Lausanne results in serious damage and pilot injury
On July 9, 1967, an Alexander Schleicher Ka 8B experienced an outlanding near Lausanne, Switzerland. The pilot attempted to land in a field after failing to find sufficient lift, but lost control during the landing approach. The glider impacted the ground, causing significant damage to the fuselage. The pilot sustained head, arm, and pelvis injuries and was hospitalized for five weeks. The incident was investigated by local authorities, confirming a loss of control as the immediate cause.
- Aerotow — thermaling: After aerotow departure from La Blécherette, the pilot released in lift near Epalinges and climbed to about 1400 m before continuing the soaring flight.
- Weak, turbulent lift: In the area between Chalet-à-Gobet, Savigny and the Monts-de-Pully the pilot encountered sink and only weak or absent thermals, with bise wind and gusty, agitated air.
- Delayed outlanding decision: The pilot continued searching for lift until he was down to about 200 m above ground near a forming cumulus, leaving insufficient height margin for a well-planned field landing.
- Low-altitude field approach: Unable to regain the aerodrome at low height, the pilot committed to an off-field landing in a meadow below the Lausanne–Savigny road near Les Trois Chasseurs.
- Gusty approach, low speed: During the circuit to the chosen field in gusty bise conditions, the pilot flew the base and final with insufficient airspeed, retracting partially extended airbrakes when he realized his relative speed was low.
- Stall and nose drop: At about 10 m above ground the glider stalled, dropped its left wing and nose, and entered a steep, quarter-turn descent before striking the ground.
- Crash - serious injury: The glider impacted a maize field near the intended landing area, severely damaging the forward fuselage and seriously injuring the pilot with head, arm, and pelvic fractures.