Ka 8 collision with trees during ridge flight at Bettlachstock, Switzerland

On May 17, 1964, a Ka 8 glider operated by the Segelfluggruppe Grenchen was involved in an incident at Bettlachstock, Switzerland. The pilot, who had limited experience, lost control of the aircraft due to gusty conditions while flying close to the ridge. The left wing of the Alexander Schleicher K 8 B struck a tree, causing the glider to crash into the forest. The pilot was unharmed, but the aircraft sustained significant damage. The investigation concluded that the pilot's insufficient speed relative to the gusty conditions likely contributed to the loss of control.