Mucha Standard Kollision mit Stromleitungen in der Nähe von Les Hauts-Geneveys, Schweiz

Am 4. Juni 1966 kollidierte ein Mucha Standard Segelflugzeug mit einer Hochspannungsleitung in der Nähe von Les Hauts-Geneveys, Schweiz. Das Segelflugzeug, das an diesem Tag von Courtelary gestartet war, wurde beim Höhenverlust beobachtet, bevor es eine Landung versuchte. Der erfahrene und gesunde Pilot übersah die schlecht sichtbaren Stromleitungen und prallte gegen sie. Das Flugzeug wurde fast vollständig durch Feuer zerstört, und der Pilot erlitt tödliche Verletzungen. Die Untersuchung ergab keine technischen Mängel am Segelflugzeug.

1. Aerotow cross-country: The pilot aerotowed from Courtelary at 10:53 for a competition cross-country task and continued gliding along the Jura after release.
2. Progressive loss of height: While thermalling near Les Hauts-Geneveys and then over the lower hamlet La Jonchère, the glider was unable to maintain altitude and descended to about 80 m above ground.
3. Poor wire visibility: The 16 kV power line ahead ran along a wooded slope with greenish-impregnated wooden poles, making the continuation of the line beyond a tree group very difficult to see from the air.
4. Late landing decision: With little height remaining over generally open terrain, the pilot apparently delayed committing to an outlanding, likely hoping for lift or to reach a more convenient field.
5. Turn toward field: At low altitude the pilot flew between the road and the power line toward Malvilliers and then turned toward the open valley side, apparently aiming for the only mown field about 200 m ahead.
6. Undetected wire conflict: During this low-altitude turn toward the intended landing area, the pilot did not recognize the span of the poorly visible power line crossing his flight path.
7. Crash - fatal: Around 11:55 the glider struck the high-voltage power line near La Rochette farm, broke the cables, crashed and burned almost completely, fatally injuring the pilot.