Kollision in der Luft zwischen Bergfalke II und Ka 2b nahe Muottas Muragl, Schweiz

Am 10. August 1960 kam es zu einer Kollision in der Luft zwischen einem Scheibe Bergfalke II und einer Alexander Schleicher Ka 2b nahe Muottas Muragl, Schweiz. Beide Segelflugzeuge waren unabhängig voneinander auf alpinen Flügen unterwegs, als sie in etwa 2800 Metern Höhe frontal zusammenstießen. Der Pilot des Bergfalke II konnte sich mit einem Fallschirmabsprung in Sicherheit bringen, während der Ka 2b zum Flugplatz Samedan zurückkehrte, jedoch bei der Landung zerstört wurde. Alle beteiligten Piloten blieben unverletzt. Die Untersuchung ergab, dass unzureichende Luftraumüberwachung durch beide Besatzungen zur Kollision führte.

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.