What happened
On June 13, 1965, an S-22 glider, registration HB-337, was performing an external landing near Crémines, Bern. During the landing sequence, the aircraft encountered significant turbulence while flying over a mown strip. Immediately after touchdown, the right wingtip drifted beyond the boundaries of the prepared surface and entered an area of tall grass. This contact caused the aircraft to undergo a sudden, violent yaw to the right, resulting in heavy structural damage. The aircraft was deemed beyond economical repair.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the landing phase and the environmental conditions present at the time of the accident. Investigators examined the impact of the turbulence encountered on the mown strip and the subsequent loss of directional control once the wingtip contacted the uncultivated terrain.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the right wingtip exiting the prepared landing area and contacting tall grass.
- Significant turbulence was present during the approach and landing phase.
- The impact with the tall grass triggered an abrupt rightward rotation of the aircraft.
- The pilot remained uninjured following the incident.