Mid-air collision between Bergfalke II and Ka 2b near Muottas Muragl, Switzerland

On August 10, 1960, a mid-air collision occurred between a Scheibe Bergfalke II and an Alexander Schleicher Ka 2b near Muottas Muragl, Switzerland. Both aircraft were engaged in independent alpine flights when they collided head-on at approximately 2800 meters altitude. The Bergfalke II pilot successfully parachuted to safety, while the Ka 2b managed a return to Samedan Airfield but was destroyed upon landing. All pilots involved escaped without serious injury. The investigation concluded that insufficient airspace monitoring by both crews led to the collision.

1. Alpine soaring flight: The Bergfalke II HB-529 departed Samedan by winch launch for an alpine soaring flight and spent over an hour ridge and thermal soaring in the Muottas–Piz Albris–Piz Languard area.
2. Pilot unwell earlier: While flying in turbulent air behind the Schafberg the HB-529 pilot became nauseated and vomited before recovering and deciding to return toward the Schafberg area.
3. Converging ridge traffic: Multiple gliders, including HB-529 and Ka 2b HB-606, were independently using the same Schafberg–Piz Languard lift band, occasionally in mutual sight but without coordinated procedures.
4. Inadequate lookout: During straight flight near the Segantini hut both crews failed to detect the opposing glider in time, resulting in only a last-instant sighting at about 50–70 m separation.
5. Head-on collision: HB-529 and HB-606 collided almost head-on at about 2800 m, their left wing leading edges striking and the Ka 2b’s separated wingtip then destroying the Bergfalke’s fin and rudder.
6. Loss of control HB-529: With its vertical tail torn off, HB-529 became effectively uncontrollable, drifted over the Schafberg crest into lee, and the pilot bailed out by parachute before the glider crashed on the slope.
7. Crash - minor injury: HB-529 was destroyed in the mountains after the pilot’s parachute escape and HB-606 broke up during a landing attempt at Samedan, with all pilots uninjured except for a minor foot sprain.