Absturz einer SZD-24 C während Windenstart auf dem Flugplatz Samedan, Pilot tödlich verunglückt

Am 24. Juli 1966 ereignete sich auf dem Flugplatz Samedan in der Schweiz ein tödlicher Unfall mit einer SZD-24 C. Während eines Windenstarts brach der Pilot den Steigflug in etwa 80 Metern Höhe ab und versuchte ein Wendemanöver. Das Segelflugzeug geriet in einen Strömungsabriss und stürzte aus etwa 50 Metern ab, was zum Tod des Piloten und zur Zerstörung des Segelflugzeugs führte. Die Untersuchung ergab, dass das Ausfahren der Störklappen während einer langsamen Kurve wahrscheinlich zum Unfall beigetragen hat.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.