What happened
On September 8, 2012, at approximately 16:00 local time, a Lange Antares 20E glider, registration D-KPIW, was involved in a fatal collision with terrain in the Dent Parrachée massif. The pilot had departed from Aubenasson aerodrome for a local mountain flight. After approximately four hours of flight, witnesses on the ground and another glider pilot in the vicinity observed the aircraft's right wing striking a south-facing rock wall. Following the impact, the glider slid down the slope and broke apart. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation faced significant challenges due to the difficult accessibility of the accident site, which prevented a full examination of the wreckage. While an onboard flight recorder was recovered, the data could not be retrieved because the unit was too heavily damaged by the impact. An autopsy of the pilot revealed no medical conditions that could explain the accident.
Meteorological conditions at the time of the accident were characterized by light southeasterly winds with gusts up to 30 knots at 3,100 meters, with scattered cumulus clouds near 3,200 meters. Strong, blocked thermal lift was present, and strong turbulence was likely at 3,300 meters.
Findings
- The investigation could not determine the specific reason why the aircraft struck the rock face.
- The pilot's parachute was rendered unusable because the deployment handle was secured to a strap with an unbreakable nylon cord.
- There is no evidence to suggest the pilot attempted to bail out of the aircraft.
- Following the collision, the aircraft's onboard batteries caught fire.