What happened
On March 16, 2001, at approximately 11:45 local time, a Schempp Hirth Discus BT motorized glider, registered D-KHJG, was conducting a local flight departing from Barcelonnette. After being released from its tow, the pilot attempted to utilize an updraft; however, the aircraft failed to find lift and began a rapid descent.
Realizing the aircraft was too low to return to the home aerodrome, the pilot deployed the retractable engine. The pilot was unable to successfully start the engine during the descent. Consequently, an emergency landing was attempted in a field located roughly 1.5 kilometers from runway 27. During the final approach to the field, the right wing of the aircraft struck a tree, resulting in slight damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation relied on information provided by the pilot prior to his departure from the country. The inquiry focused on the sequence of events following the loss of altitude and the pilot's decision-making process regarding the use of the retractable engine and the selection of the landing site.