SZD-24 C crash during winch launch at Samedan airfield, pilot fatality
On July 24, 1966, an SZD-24 C experienced a fatal accident at Samedan airfield in Switzerland. During a winch launch, the pilot aborted the climb at approximately 80 meters and attempted a turnaround maneuver. The aircraft stalled and crashed from a height of about 50 meters, resulting in the pilot's death and the destruction of the glider. The investigation suggested that the deployment of dive brakes during a slow turn likely contributed to the accident.
- Winch launch climb: During a winch launch from Samedan airfield, the Foka HB-722 climbed normally to about 80 m above ground in a 25–30° attitude.
- Early launch abort: At approximately 80 m AGL the pilot unexpectedly lowered the nose, released the winch cable, and continued straight ahead, aborting the launch.
- Low altitude for turn: After release the glider was at only about 80 m above ground with roughly half the runway remaining, providing limited altitude margin for any turnback maneuver.
- Attempted turnback: Instead of landing straight ahead, the pilot initiated a 180° right turn with about 45° bank at a speed that witnesses perceived as close to the lower limit.
- Dive brakes extended: Towards the end of the slow 180° turn, the pilot extended the dive brakes to approximately half travel, further increasing drag and speed loss.
- Stall and spiral: With low airspeed in a 45° bank and dive brakes deployed, the glider lost lift, the turn tightened into a spiral, and the nose dropped from about 50 m AGL.
- Crash - fatal: After about one full spiral turn the glider impacted the ground nose and right wingtip first at a steep angle of 70–80°, fatally injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.