Introduction
On 29 July 1968, a Karl-Schweyer Ka 8 B glider, registration HB-764, was involved in an accident near Gstaad, Switzerland. The glider was owned by the Sportfluggruppe of Swissair personnel and was in good technical condition with no reported defects at the time of the flight.
Pilot Information
The pilot, born in 1947, held a valid glider pilot license and had accumulated approximately 66 flight hours. In the three weeks preceding the accident, he had successfully performed two off-field landings.
Weather and Terrain
The weather was characterized by a weak high-pressure system over central Europe. Conditions were cloudy with a cloud base at approximately 2700 m. Strong southwesterly winds prevailed at altitude, while surface temperature was 20°C and barometric pressure was 1020 mb. The chosen landing site was a meadow measuring roughly 100 by 200 meters at the northern edge of Gstaad, surrounded by houses, fences, and electrical lines.
Accident Sequence
The pilot departed from Zweisimmen at 1103 hours local time on a cross-country flight. He released from the tow west of Zweisimmen at about 1900 m and climbed to the cloud base at 2700 m. After flying to the area west of Col du Pillon, he decided to return at 2600 m. He flew back via Gsteig and followed the valley toward Saanen while searching for lift. Near Gstaad, he encountered downdrafts at about 3 m/s and realized he could not reach Saanen airfield. At an altitude of approximately 100–150 m above ground, he decided to make an off-field landing. He selected a meadow in the northern part of the village but misjudged his circuit, resulting in a final approach that was about 15 m too high. Unable to land in the intended direction, he initiated a 270° right turn to attempt a landing perpendicular to the original direction. During this turn at low altitude, the left wingtip collided with a wooden electric pole, causing the glider to yaw violently left. The aircraft then touched down hard on the meadow and came to rest after lightly colliding with a barn wall.
Damage
The pilot remained uninjured. The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The electrical distribution network suffered minor damage (blown fuses), for which no repair bill was submitted.
Conclusion
The accident was attributed to a miscalculation by the pilot during the landing approach, to which his late decision to perform an off-field landing presumably contributed significantly.