What happened
On July 10, 2024, a Schempp Hirth - Nimbus 4DLM glider, registration D-KXXY, was performing a local flight in the Alps. After taking off from Aspres-sur-Buëch, the pilot engaged in slope soaring along the ridges of the Queyras mountain range. At approximately 15:55, while flying near the Heuvières peak, the aircraft began a right-hand turn toward the valley. During this maneuver, the glider collided with a rock face at high speed. The impact occurred at an altitude of 2,820 meters, and the wreckage was located two days later using the pilot's telephone after search operations were initiated.
The investigation
The BEA examined flight data from the onboard LX8000 computer, meteorological records from Météo-France, and wreckage recovered by helicopter. The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path, the complex aerology of the site, and the physiological state of the occupants. Investigators noted that the aircraft was at its maximum takeoff weight and that the flight had lasted several hours, including significant time at high altitudes. The investigation also consulted experienced mountain pilots regarding the handling characteristics of heavy, wide-wingspan gliders in turbulent conditions.
Findings
- The glider collided with terrain during a turn near steep ridges.
- The aircraft was a heavy, high-performance model with significant inertia, making it difficult to control during rapid maneuvers.
- The area was experiencing light to moderate turbulence and strong thermal lifts, which can create unpredictable air masses.
- The occupants were flying at altitudes exceeding 3,000 meters for over an hour without an oxygen distribution system, creating a possibility of moderate hypoxia.
- The investigation could not determine if a loss of control was caused by complex aerology, a sideslip, or the physiological effects of high-altitude flight.