What happened
On May 24, 1969, a flight instructor and a student were conducting a training flight departing from Winterthur airfield in a Rhönlerche II, registration HB-708. After being towed into the air, the instructor attempted to utilize weak thermals near Wiesendangen. When no lift could be found, the instructor ordered a return to the airfield.
During the approach, the aircraft's altitude dropped to approximately 30 meters above the ground. Due to a significant headwind of roughly 30 km/h and the necessity of clearing a 4-meter-high gravel pile on the main runway, the instructor determined that the airfield could not be safely reached. Consequently, the decision was made to perform an off-field landing on a meadow located west of the airfield. During the landing sequence, the glider's left wing struck a hay tedder parked in the field.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight conditions and the maneuvers performed by the crew. The investigation established that the aircraft was properly registered and the pilots held valid licenses. The weather at the time involved scattered clouds with a tendency toward thunderstorms, visibility exceeding 10 km, and moderate turbulence below 300 meters. The investigation also considered the impact of the 30 km/h headwind and the presence of obstacles on the landing path.
Findings
- The crew was caught by surprise by their low altitude and distance from the airfield.
- The presence of a 4-meter-high gravel pile on the primary landing axis made a safe return to the runway doubtful.
- Insufficient attention was paid to obstacle clearance during the off-field landing.
- It is possible that the aircraft drifted left due to the wind during the right-hand glide, and the view from the rear seat may have been obstructed by the aircraft's bank angle.
Safety action
No specific safety recommendations were recorded in the final report.