What happened
On June 13, 2025, a Scheibe SF2SB motor glider, registration D-KADX, was conducting a local flight over the Pyrenees mountains. The flight originated from the Santa Cilia aerodrome in Spain. While cruising at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters, the aircraft encountered a sudden deterioration in weather conditions.
Strong gusts of southerly wind and significant turbulence caused the aircraft to be pushed toward the terrain. In an attempt to avoid the mountains, the pilot steered toward the valley and engaged the engine. However, the rate of descent remained too high to clear the surrounding peaks safely. Consequently, the pilot performed an emergency landing on an uneven, relatively flat area near the Midi d’Ossau mountain peak at an altitude of roughly 2,100 meters. The aircraft sustained substantial damage during the impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the pilot's flight preparation. Investigators reviewed weather data from Météo-France, which indicated a rapid south-south-west cyclonic flow and the development of storm cells in the region. While the pilot had used the Windy app for pre-flight planning and noted that other pilots were flying in the area, the investigation examined how the wind direction and intensity shifted during the flight.
Findings
- The primary cause of the emergency landing was severe downdrafts and wind shifts that prevented the aircraft from maintaining sufficient altitude to clear the terrain.
- The pilot's limited experience flying in mountainous environments likely hindered his ability to fully interpret the meteorological risks.
- Pre-flight decision-making may have been influenced by the fact that other pilots were also operating in the mountainous region at the time.