What happened
On August 4, 2017, an Alexander Schleicher ASW 24 E motor glider was participating in a gliding competition based at Holzdorf Airfield (ETSH). The pilot was flying a prescribed task involving several turning points. During the competition, the aircraft was performing an off-field landing in an area near Rädigke, approximately 30 km northeast of the Roßlau turning point.
As the aircraft approached the ground, the left wingtip made contact with the earth, leading to a subsequent impact of the cockpit with the ground. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries. The wreckage was discovered by a police helicopter using thermal imaging during a nighttime search operation after the pilot was reported missing.
The investigation
The BFU investigation examined the aircraft, the flight path, and the pilot's experience. The aircraft was found with its landing gear extended and airbrakes deployed, indicating an intentional landing attempt. The investigation found no technical defects in the ASW 24 E; the weight and balance were within limits, and the engine was in the retracted position.
While the exact flight path could not be reconstructed due to the destruction of the flight computer, the BFU determined the accident likely occurred between 13:40 and 18:00 local time. The pilot was highly experienced, with over 1,600 total flight hours and significant experience in competition flying. Medical examinations of the pilot showed no evidence of impairment from drugs or alcohol.