What happened
On the morning of April 26, 1975, at the Schänis airfield, a ground collision occurred involving a Ka 8 glider, registration HB-679. During routine flight operations, which utilized a paved runway for takeoffs and a parallel grass runway for landings, a student pilot was assisting with the preparation of tow ropes. While moving a rope from the paved runway to the grass runway, the student entered the landing area without verifying if the runway was clear of approaching aircraft.
At approximately 09:38 CET, the Ka 8 was on final approach to the grass runway 35. Although the pilot of the glider may have noticed the student on the field, she remained focused on the landing maneuver. Due to the noise from a nearby tow plane's engine, the student was unable to hear warnings shouted by bystanders. As the glider touched down, its left wingtip struck the student, resulting in severe injuries to the student and minor damage to the aircraft's wing leading edge.
The investigation
The investigation examined the actions of both parties and the environmental conditions at the time. The student pilot, who was familiar with the airfield, was performing ground duties. The glider pilot held a valid license but had relatively limited flight experience, with approximately 44 total hours. The investigation confirmed that the Ka 8 was airworthy and no technical defects were identified. Weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility and light winds.
Findings
- The student entered the landing runway without ensuring the path was clear of incoming traffic.
- The pilot of the Ka 8 focused excessively on the landing process, which led to a lack of sufficient attention to other airfield traffic.
- The noise from an active tow plane prevented the student from hearing verbal warnings from others on the ground.