What happened
On May 20, 2024, during a local cross-country gliding competition, a DG-300 ELAN glider departed from Malsch airfield via a winch launch. After reaching an altitude of approximately 320 meters, the pilot began searching for thermals in a right-hand pattern. Witnesses noted that the aircraft was flying at an unusually low altitude and airspeed as it crossed the threshold of runway 07.
As the pilot transitioned from a crosswind leg into the final approach via a right-hand turn, the landing gear was initially retracted. During this phase, the ground speed decreased from approximately 80 km/h to 62 km/h. While the pilot successfully extended the landing gear during the turn, the aircraft subsequently entered a left-hand turn and then began to bank sharply to the right. At approximately 12:11, the glider struck a wooded area with a high angle of descent. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, passing away two days later in the hospital. The aircraft was destroyed, and damage to forest vegetation was recorded.
The investigation
The BFU examined the aircraft's flight data, including records from the onboard LX 7007C navigation system and the pilot's smartphone. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in a valid maintenance state and that the center of gravity was within limits, though positioned toward the rear, which can make stall recovery more difficult.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's medical history and flight training records. It was discovered that the pilot had not flown for 11 months prior to the accident, with the exception of a flight two days earlier. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot had a pre-existing neurological condition and was taking medication that would have rendered him medically unfit for flight, a fact that had not been disclosed to his medical examiner.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the aircraft stalling during the turn into the final approach due to insufficient airspeed and an excessive angle of attack.
- The pilot's low level of recent training and an uncoordinated turn contributed to the loss of control.
- The pilot's attention may have been distracted by the task of extending the landing gear while flying at a low altitude.
- The pilot was not medically fit to fly due to an undisclosed neurological condition and associated medication.
- While witnesses observed the low airspeed and retracted gear, they did not communicate these observations to the pilot via radio.