Colisión del Ka 2b con árboles durante el lanzamiento por torno en el aeródromo de Samedan

El 16 de septiembre de 1964, un planeador Ka 2b se estrelló poco después de un lanzamiento por torno en el aeródromo de Samedan en Suiza. El piloto, nacido en 1929, inició un vuelo a lo largo de la cresta de Muottas-Muragl, pero colisionó con las copas de los árboles debido a una altitud insuficiente. El planeador resultó gravemente dañado y el piloto sufrió lesiones significativas. La investigación oficial concluyó que el piloto voló hacia una zona de corriente descendente turbulenta a baja altitud, lo que provocó la colisión.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Limited winch experience: The pilot had not previously winch-launched the Ka 2b and had very limited and outdated winch-launch experience overall, reducing his familiarity with required climb profile and usable release height.
4. Turbulent ridge winds: Moderate southwesterly wind around 15–20 kt at the Muottas-Muragl slope produced hang turbulence and local downdrafts near the treeline.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.