What happened
On July 29, 1963, at approximately 18:16 CEST, a Ka-6-Br Rhönsegler glider, registration D-6217, was completing a four-hour Alpine flight at Samedan Aerodrome. During the approach to landing strip 03, the pilot misjudged both the altitude and the airspeed of the aircraft. This error caused the glider to overshoot the 180-meter grass landing area.
As the aircraft continued past the intended stopping point, it crossed a road that intersects the edge of the landing strip. At that moment, a DKW passenger car was traveling across the intersection. The right wing of the glider struck the right side of the vehicle, causing the car to shift slightly and the glider to spin approximately 180 degrees before coming to a halt. There were no injuries resulting from the impact, though both the glider and the car sustained significant damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the overrun and the status of the airfield's traffic control measures. Investigators examined the visibility from the air traffic control tower, noting that the view of the approach zone for landing strip 03 is restricted, meaning aircraft only become visible to the controller during the final stages of the approach.
It was established that the air traffic controller was occupied with administrative tasks in the airfield building at the time of the approach and did not observe the arriving glider. Consequently, the controller failed to activate the signal light to close the road to vehicular traffic. The investigation also reviewed the actions of the motorist, noting that the driver proceeded through the intersection because the signal light was displaying green.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the failure of the air traffic controller to close the road via the signal light system.
- The pilot's miscalculation of height and speed resulted in an excessive landing distance that prevented the aircraft from stopping before the road.
- The controller's lack of monitoring during the final approach meant the signal light remained green, providing no warning to road users.
- While the pilot's error was a critical factor, the accident was also facilitated by the fact that the road remained open to traffic during an active landing.