What happened
On July 9, 1967, a Ka-8B glider, registration HB-849, departed from the La Blécherette airfield at approximately 12:10 local time. The pilot intended to complete a three-hour flight to fulfill requirements for the FAI Diamond badge. After releasing from the towplane at roughly 1,200 meters, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 1,400 meters.
As the flight progressed toward Chalet-à-Gobet, the pilot encountered sinking air. Unable to find the necessary thermals to continue the mission or return to the airfield, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and sought an alternative landing site in a field near the Lausanne-Savigny road. At approximately 12:35, the glider struck a cornfield, resulting in one injury (the pilot).
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, weather conditions, and the aircraft's mechanical state. On the day of the accident, the region was under a high-pressure system with a north-northeast breeze and moderate turbulence. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight experience, noting approximately 59 total flight hours, with significant recent time in the Ka-8B type.
Witness accounts and the pilot's own testimony provided conflicting details regarding the final moments of the flight. While the pilot initially struggled to recall the sequence of events due to head injuries, later statements suggested that while attempting a landing pattern, the pilot retracted partially extended flaps, which led to a sudden loss of airspeed and a wing drop.
Findings
- The pilot attempted an emergency landing in a field because the lack of rising air made returning to the airfield impossible.
- The pilot's decision to continue searching for lift delayed the decision to land, leaving insufficient altitude for a safe approach.
- The primary cause of the crash was a loss of airspeed near the ground during the landing maneuver.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage to the forward fuselage and left wing.