What happened
On October 15, 2011, a single-seat Schempp-Hirth Mini-Nimbus HS 7 glider departed from St. Michaelisdonn airfield for a local flight via aero-tow. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, witnesses observed the aircraft approaching the airfield from the southeast at a 45-degree angle relative to the runway. Observers noted the aircraft was traveling at a high speed and exhibited noticeable wing rocking on two occasions.
As the aircraft reached the airfield, its speed appeared to return to normal. However, as the pilot initiated the turn for the final approach, the bank angle increased progressively without any visible attempt to pull up. The aircraft entered a steep descent, ultimately impacting a golf course located immediately north of the airfield. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the wreckage, flight data from a GPS (Flarm) device, and the pilot's medical history. The wreckage was scattered across a 25-meter by 25-meter area, with the cockpit destroyed and the fuselage broken behind the wings.
An autopsy of the pilot was performed at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. The medical examiner identified findings consistent with a fresh myocardial infarction. The investigation established that a small-scale, acute heart attack likely triggered a sudden cardiac arrhythmia, leading to immediate loss of consciousness.