What happened
On March 16, 2000, at approximately 16:30, a Shempp Hirth Discus bT motor glider, registration D-KICR, was engaged in a local flight near Seyne Les Alpes, France. The pilot had departed from the Sisteron aerodrome earlier that afternoon, around 12:40, following a weather briefing. After establishing radio contact near the commune of Seyne Les Alpes, the aircraft failed to return to the airfield. Concerned members of the flying club initiated an alert when the pilot did not reappear.
The aircraft was located two days later near the summit of Col Bas at an altitude of 1,900 meters. The pilot was rescued via helicopter with serious injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed in the impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and impact marks to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. The evidence indicated that the D-KICR struck trees while flying on a magnetic heading of 180°. At the time of the collision, the engine was not deployed. The investigation also noted that the pilot was performing ridge soaring on the southwest flank of the Col Bas summit.
Meteorological conditions at the site were characterized by CAVOK visibility and winds from 30° at 20 to 25 knots, which produced moderate to strong turbulence. Other pilots operating in the same area that afternoon reported experiencing significant turbulence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the insufficient consideration of meteorological conditions on the leeward side of the terrain.
- The presence of strong turbulence, consistent with the wind conditions and topography, likely contributed to the loss of control or deviation from the intended flight path.