Neukom Elfe MN collision with tree during outlanding near Baar, Switzerland

On May 17, 1964, a Neukom Elfe MN experienced a collision with a tree during an outlanding attempt between Baar and Kappel, Switzerland. The pilot, participating in a national gliding competition, initiated an emergency landing after encountering difficulties. During the landing, the parachute brake failed, leading to a high-speed approach and subsequent collision with a tree. The pilot was uninjured, but the glider sustained significant damage. The investigation identified the failure of the parachute brake attachment as a key factor in the incident.

1. Cross-country thermaling: During a competition cross-country flight after aerotow departure from Hausen am Albis, the pilot flew for an extended period in weak thermals in the Sihlbrugg–Menzingen area.
2. Forced outlanding decision: Around 1400, after insufficient climb in weak thermals, the pilot decided he had to perform an outlanding between Baar and Kappel.
3. Short, tree-lined field: The selected outlanding field was short and surrounded by scattered trees, making it suitable only for a steep approach using the braking parachute.
4. Defective chute attachment: The braking parachute’s cable loop was improperly secured with inadequate clamps, predisposing the parachute attachment to failure under load.
5. Parachute attachment fails: On the first steep approach the pilot deployed the braking parachute, but it provided no braking effect because the attachment tore out, leaving the glider fast and unable to land in the short field.
6. Multiple high-speed re-approaches: Believing initially that the parachute had not fully opened, the pilot overflew the field at high speed, then, after noticing from the shadow that the chute was gone, attempted a second and then a third approach, each time still too fast for the confined area.
7. Outlanding - damage: On the third approach the pilot could no longer clear the last trees and deliberately flew the glider at minimum speed into a tree crown, remaining uninjured while the aircraft was heavily damaged.