Incidente del Ka 4 Rhönlerche II durante entrenamiento en el aeródromo de Amlikon con aterrizaje brusco

El 19 de agosto de 1964, un vuelo de entrenamiento con un Alexander Schleicher Ka 4 Rhönlerche II terminó en un aterrizaje brusco en el aeródromo de Amlikon, Suiza. El planeador viró bruscamente a la derecha durante la aproximación final tras recuperarse de un deslizamiento a la izquierda. El piloto, un estudiante, intentó corregir el rumbo pero perdió el control, resultando en un fuerte impacto con el suelo. La aeronave sufrió daños significativos, mientras que el piloto sufrió heridas leves. El incidente ocurrió en medio de condiciones meteorológicas turbulentas durante un curso de entrenamiento previo al vuelo.

1. Aerotow landing approach: During an aerotow training flight, the student pilot was on final approach to runway 28, executing a planned left glissade (slip) for landing.
2. Loss of coordination: After recovering from the left glissade at about 30 m AGL and slightly left of the centerline, the student failed to properly coordinate aileron and rudder inputs.
3. Low experience, turbulence: The pilot was a relatively low-time student and the approach sector was known to be turbulent in the prevailing west–southwest wind, potentially complicating control near the ground.
4. Right yaw and sideslip: The glider’s nose yawed sharply to the right while maintaining bank, departing the runway heading at roughly a right angle in a strong sideslip and crossing over the Thur in downwind.
5. Attempted right turn back: Per the investigator’s assessment, the student likely attempted to turn the unintended right yaw into a deliberate right turn to bring the glider back toward the airfield, but did not regain effective control.
6. Unarrested descending turn: The glider continued in a descending right turn with 20–30° nose-down attitude and bank, with no visible flare or reduction of bank before ground contact.
7. Crash - minor injury: Still in a right turn and nose-low attitude, the glider impacted the ground hard near the beginning of the runway, breaking the right wing and deforming the fuselage, and the pilot sustained minor facial injuries.