What happened
On July 6, 1962, a Globe Swift GC-1B, registration HB-EUR, was performing demonstration flights at Lausanne-Blécherette airport. The pilot, who was showcasing the aircraft to potential buyers, had completed several successful flights earlier in the afternoon. During a flight with a passenger, the pilot attempted a high-speed climb at the end of the airfield.
While passing over a nearby road at an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the aircraft experienced a sudden left-wing stall. The pilot managed to recover the aircraft's attitude, but the low altitude prevented a proper recovery from the descent. The aircraft impacted a nearby field with its landing gear retracted, sliding along the ground for approximately 51 meters. The occupants, the pilot and one passenger, sustained injuries including spinal compression and facial lacerations, but were able to exit the aircraft on their own.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's maneuvers, and the environmental factors. The aircraft had undergone inspection the previous week and was found to be in airworthy condition. The engine had operated normally until the moment of impact, and no engine failure was reported by witnesses.
Investigators noted that the aircraft's weight was approximately 4 kg over the maximum authorized limit at the time of the accident. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight history and the specific aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft during stall testing, noting that the aircraft had a tendency to stall to the left.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive control input during the initiation of the climb, which led to an excessive pitch-up and a subsequent left-wing stall.
- The low altitude at the time of the stall prevented the pilot from successfully recovering the aircraft's flight path.
- The aircraft exhibited a characteristic tendency to stall to the left, which may have been exacerbated by the aggressive control movement.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage, with the airframe considered beyond economical repair, though the engine was potentially salvageable.