What happened
On June 6, 1972, at approximately 13:03 CEST, a Rhönlerche II with registration HB-669 departed from the Schaffhausen-Schmerlat airfield for a planned five-hour flight. During the mission, the pilot encountered deteriorating meteorological conditions, characterized by a lowering cloud ceiling and intermittent showers.
As the weather worsened, the pilot attempted to return to the airfield at a low altitude. However, due to a prevailing headwind, a direct approach to the airfield was not possible. The pilot initially considered an approach toward a nearby field, but determined this would be insufficient. Consequently, the pilot executed a 90-degree left turn at an altitude of approximately 40 to 50 meters to head toward a mown meadow. At 13:18, while facing strong crosswinds, the aircraft performed a heavy landing approximately 1 km east of the airfield. The aircraft sustained heavy damage, but the pilot remained uninjured, and no third-party property was affected.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight conditions, the pilot's experience, and the airworthiness of the aircraft. The pilot held a valid glider license and had a total flight time of approximately 37 hours, including 19 hours on this specific aircraft type. The investigation confirmed that the HB-669 was airworthy and properly registered at the time of the incident. The inquiry focused on the pilot's decision-making process regarding the change of landing site under low-altitude conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's decision to change the intended landing site while flying at a very low altitude.
- Deteriorating weather, including a lowering ceiling and rain, necessitated an unplanned landing.
- Strong crosswinds contributed to the difficulty of the landing maneuver.