Ka 4 Rhönlerche II training mishap during approach at Birrfeld airfield
On July 16, 1966, an Alexander Schleicher Ka 4 Rhönlerche II was involved in an incident at Birrfeld Airfield, Switzerland. During a dual-control training flight, the student pilot executed an evasive maneuver, causing the left wingtip to contact the ground. The instructor was unable to intervene in time, resulting in the glider impacting the ground. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but there were no injuries or fatalities reported.
- Training approach: During a dual-control instructional flight, the glider was being flown by the student under supervision of the instructor in the circuit at Birrfeld airfield.
- Student evasive maneuver: The student pilot initiated an evasive maneuver with the glider during the training flight.
- Left wingtip strikes ground: During the evasive maneuver, the left wingtip contacted the ground, upsetting the glider's attitude.
- Instructor unable to recover: The flight instructor attempted to intervene but was unable to regain control in time to prevent further loss of control.
- Crash - no injury: Following the wingtip strike, the glider impacted the ground and was significantly damaged, but no injuries occurred.