Casualties unknown

Hard Landing Damages Landing Gear of Piper Cub HB-OSK at Lausanne-Blécherette

Lausanne "La Blécherette" Aéroport (LSGL), VD, CH

On May 18, 1966, a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION J3C-65/L-4. (registration HB-OSK) was involved in an aviation accident near Lausanne "La Blécherette" Aéroport (LSGL), VD, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student pilot pulled the aircraft too high over the runway during the landing approach, leading to a hard landing that damaged the landing gear. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).

Sourcesthe Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST)Primary reportUpdated 2026-09-13Data APIEditorial standards

On 18 May 1966, a Piper Cub HB-OSK sustained landing gear damage during a hard landing at Lausanne-Blécherette airfield. The student pilot pulled the aircraft too high over the runway during approach.

Accident

On 18 May 1966, a Piper Cub aircraft, registration HB-OSK, was involved in an accident during a landing attempt at Lausanne-Blécherette airfield. The aircraft was being flown by a student pilot. According to the official investigation report released by the Swiss aircraft accident investigation commission, the accident occurred under the following circumstances.

Sequence of Events

During the landing approach to runway at Lausanne-Blécherette, the student pilot pulled the aircraft too high over the runway. The runway surface exhibited height differences of up to 10 meters. As a result of the excessive height, the aircraft experienced a rough landing, commonly referred to as a hard landing. The impact caused damage to the landing gear. The report does not specify any injuries to the pilot or other persons, nor does it mention any other damage to the aircraft beyond the landing gear.

Investigation Findings

The investigation was conducted by the Swiss aircraft accident investigation commission in a summary procedure. The final report was approved on 7 July 1966 and transmitted to the commission on 8 July 1966. The report concludes that the accident was caused by the student pilot's action of pulling the aircraft too high over the runway during the landing approach, leading to a hard landing that damaged the landing gear. No other contributing factors or causal links are stated in the report.

Probable cause

The student pilot pulled the aircraft too high over the runway during the landing approach, leading to a hard landing that damaged the landing gear.

Investigation report by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST). Original record: https://www.sust.admin.ch/inhalte/AV-berichte/325.pdf. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB), Switzerland.