Flight Details
On Friday, 11 August 1972, a pilot conducted a training flight in the K 6 CR glider, registration HB-881, at Montricher aerodrome. After 16 minutes of flight, the pilot performed several spirals at 500 meters northeast of runway 21 threshold to lose altitude.
Accident Sequence
While beginning the final circuit, the pilot was hindered by a towplane preparing to land and gave way. He rejoined the downwind leg and passed abeam the runway threshold at an estimated height of 40 meters. During the turn to final, the glider encountered downdrafts and did not have sufficient altitude to clear a hedge at the entrance of the field. At 1126 HEC, HB-881 struck a bush with its right wing at reduced speed and crashed to the ground.
Damage and Injuries
The pilot was uninjured. The glider was destroyed. There were no ground damages.
Pilot Information
The pilot, born in 1928, held a valid glider pilot license with passenger flight authorization. Total flight experience was 106 hours, with 15 hours and 32 minutes in the preceding three months. He had logged 2 hours and 34 minutes on the K 6 type, all within the last three months. The investigation found no indication of any health issues at the time of the accident, and his records showed no prior accidents, incidents, or violations.
Aircraft Information
The glider HB-881 was in airworthy condition and authorized for flight. No technical deficiencies were identified as contributing to the accident.
Cause
The accident was due to insufficient height during final approach.