What happened
On August 5, 2012, a Glasflügel H 301 Libelle glider departed from Wershofen airfield for a private cross-country flight. During the flight, the pilot lost altitude and attempted to regain height by searching for thermal updrafts near the village of Reiffeld. Unable to find sufficient lift, the pilot contacted Wershofen tower to report that an off-field landing would be necessary due to the lack of thermals, noting an altitude of approximately 150 meters.
At approximately 15:36, the aircraft struck a grassy field southwest of Reifferscheid. Before impact, the glider clipped the treetops of a 13-meter-tall spruce tree. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft. Eyewitnesses observed the glider performing a steep turn at a very low altitude, which led to an uncontrolled descent and subsequent crash.
The investigation
The BFU investigation utilized GPS (Flarm) data to reconstruct the flight path. The data showed the pilot initially flew southeast before turning north. Near Reifferscheid, the pilot attempted to gain altitude but failed. The GPS recording ceased approximately 13:36, shortly before the accident, following a series of left-hand turns over a potential landing site.
Investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of technical failure. The cockpit was destroyed, and the fuselage was broken, but the wings and control surfaces remained intact and functional. The aircraft's weight and balance were within limits, and its maintenance records were up to date.
Findings
The primary cause of the accident was the improper execution of the landing approach for the off-field landing. While attempting to maneuver into the final approach at a low altitude, the pilot entered an uncontrolled flight attitude, causing the aircraft to stall and strike the ground.
Several contributing factors were identified:
- The pilot's loss of situational awareness regarding altitude over the ground and the decision to continue searching for thermals for too long.
- An inadequate approach pattern, characterized by flying directly over the intended landing field at a low altitude, which left insufficient room for error.
- The execution of the final turn with excessive bank angle and a speed below the minimum required for flight.
- Challenging terrain characteristics, including rising ground near Reifferscheid which obscured the horizon, and the difficult landscape of the High Eifel region for off-field landings.