Mid-air collision between S 18 II and Bergfalke II near Muottas Muragl, Switzerland
On July 27, 1959, two gliders, an AG Wynau S 18 II and a Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Bergfalke II, collided mid-air near Muottas Muragl, Switzerland. The collision occurred at approximately 2500 meters altitude, resulting in the Bergfalke II crashing and killing both occupants. The S 18 II, despite sustaining significant damage, was successfully landed by its pilot at Samedan Airfield. The investigation concluded that inadequate airspace observation by both pilots led to the collision.
- Winch launch ridge soaring: Both gliders HB-559 and HB-219 were winch-launched from Samedan and climbed in the ridge lift at Muottas Muragl, flying repeated passes near the Muottas-Kulm hotel.
- High-traffic ridge area: The Muottas Muragl area near Samedan was a popular alpine soaring site with strong lift and frequent glider traffic, increasing the need for vigilant lookout.
- Converging flight paths: HB-219, having previously seen HB-559 70–80 m above while flying down-valley, turned left back toward Muottas Muragl at about the same time HB-559 flew a wide left turn back over the hotel, placing the aircraft on opposing headings.
- Inadequate lookout: Neither pilot maintained sufficient airspace observation during their respective left turns, so each failed to detect the other glider in time to avoid conflict.
- Late sighting head-on: HB-219’s pilot suddenly saw HB-559 immediately ahead on a nearly frontal collision course at about 2500 m, leaving no time or space for effective evasive action.
- Mid-air structural damage: The gliders collided nearly head-on, breaking off the left wing tip section of HB-559 and heavily damaging the wing root and canopy area of HB-219.
- Crash - fatal: HB-559 entered an unrecoverable inverted spin and crashed on the west slope of Muottas Muragl killing both occupants, while the damaged HB-219 was recovered to a safe landing near Samedan by its uninjured pilot.