Ka 2b collision with trees during winch launch at Samedan airfield
On September 16, 1964, a Ka 2b glider crashed shortly after a winch launch at Samedan airfield in Switzerland. The pilot, born in 1929, initiated a flight along the Muottas-Muragl ridge but collided with treetops due to insufficient altitude. The glider was heavily damaged, and the pilot sustained significant injuries. The official investigation concluded that the pilot flew into a turbulent downdraft zone at low altitude, leading to the collision.
- Winch launch climb: During the winch launch from Samedan, the Ka 2b climbed too shallowly after liftoff, leading to an unusually high airspeed and reduced winch power.
- Low release altitude: The pilot released from the winch at only about 200–250 m above ground, roughly half the normal height for the prevailing wind conditions.
- Limited winch experience: The pilot had not previously winch-launched the Ka 2b and had very limited and outdated winch-launch experience overall, reducing his familiarity with required climb profile and usable release height.
- Turbulent ridge winds: Moderate southwesterly wind around 15–20 kt at the Muottas-Muragl slope produced hang turbulence and local downdrafts near the treeline.
- Continued to ridge low: Despite recognizing the low release height, the pilot chose not to fly a circuit to land but instead turned toward the Muottas-Muragl slope and continued along the trees at slowly decreasing altitude.
- Sink in lee turbulence: While flying close above the treetops near the Muottas-Muragl railway, the glider entered lee turbulence and downdraft, lost its remaining height margin, and likely sank further as the pilot pulled to arrest the descent.
- Crash - serious injury: The left wing struck several treetops, tearing off about one-third of the wing, and the glider fell roughly 40 m to the ground near the Muragl stream, seriously injuring the pilot and almost completely destroying the aircraft.