What happened
On August 10, 1972, a K 8 B glider, registration D-8890, departed from Courtelary as part of a summer gliding camp. The pilot intended to complete a 50 km cross-country flight toward L'Auberson to achieve a Silver C certificate. After releasing from the tow aircraft at approximately 500 meters altitude near Corgémont, the pilot experienced a steady loss of altitude.
In an attempt to maintain flight, the pilot initially maneuvered toward the slopes of Le Montoz but eventually turned back toward Courtelary. As the descent continued at a rate of 2 m/s, the pilot determined that an outlanding was necessary. A meadow located north of the valley floor, near Sombeval, was selected as the landing site.
During the final approach, the pilot flew a downwind leg north of Sombeval. The approach was conducted at 90 km/h without the use of air brakes. While maneuvering, the right wing of the aircraft struck a marker post located on a roadside embankment, causing the glider to crash. The pilot escaped the accident uninjured, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's flight conditions and the aircraft's airworthiness. The pilot held a valid glider license and was in good health at the time of the accident. The K 8 B was found to be airworthy and properly registered, with no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing defects. Meteorological reports indicated variable ground winds and moderate thermals with the possibility of localized turbulence. The investigation also examined the topography of the chosen landing site, noting a 5-degree slope toward the south.
Findings
- The selection of the landing site was problematic due to the lateral slope of the terrain.
- The pilot's decision to depart from the vicinity of the launch site without sufficient altitude created the necessity for the emergency landing.
- The primary cause of the accident was the selection of an unsuitable landing site and a failure to sufficiently account for ground obstacles during the final approach.