What happened
On August 29, 2019, a Pik-20 E glider, registration D-KVNO, was conducting a local flight near Le Vernet, France. After departing from Vinon, the pilot flew toward the Blayeul mountain range. While navigating the terrain, the pilot spotted the wreckage of another glider on the eastern slope of the mountain and altered course to approach the site to determine if emergency services were required.
During this maneuver, the aircraft entered the lee side of the terrain, resulting in a loss of approximately 500 meters in altitude. Seeking to regain height, the pilot attempted to start the onboard engine. However, the engine failed to start. As the aircraft lost altitude rapidly, the pilot became preoccupied with the engine malfunction, failing to prepare for an emergency landing or search for a suitable landing area. The glider eventually struck a tree near a residence and then collided with a group of trees approximately 150 meters further along before impacting the ground. The pilot sustained injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA investigation utilized pilot testimony and data from the aircraft's FLARM-Power Mouse unit, which recorded GNSS tracks. The analysis revealed that the aircraft's speed remained above 135 km/h throughout the final phase of the flight, including during the engine deployment procedure. The investigation also examined the engine's mechanical configuration, noting that the system requires specific steps to release the propeller brake and extend the engine.
Findings
- The pilot failed to release the propeller brake, which prevented the engine from starting.
- The pilot's focus on the engine failure led to a loss of situational awareness regarding altitude and the lack of landing preparations.
- The absence of visible markings on the previously crashed glider on the Blayeul slope prompted the pilot to approach the wreckage, placing the aircraft in degraded flying conditions.
- The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft type, combined with the stress of the critical situation, contributed to the procedural error.