Incident Overview
On March 2, 2025, at approximately 12:15 UTC (13:15 Local Mean Time), a Jonker JS-MD 1C glider with registration D-KAVY crashed in rugged mountainous terrain on Monte Garzirola, near Como, Italy. The aircraft impacted the ground at an altitude of approximately 1,714 meters. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The glider suffered extensive damage and was found completely destroyed.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The aircraft was a single-seat, high-performance glider equipped with a retractable auxiliary engine and a T-tail configuration. At the time of the accident, it had approximately 837 total flight hours. The pilot was a 58-year-old Italian national holding a valid Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL) with endorsements for aerotow and self-launch. He had accumulated roughly 378 total flight hours, including 354 hours in gliders. Notably, his last flight in this specific aircraft prior to the incident was on February 28, 2025.
Environmental Conditions and Investigation
Meteorological reports from nearby airports indicated suitable conditions for visual flight rules (VFR) operations, with clear skies or few clouds and light winds. The Italian National Agency for Flight Safety (ANSV) conducted the safety investigation in accordance with EU Regulation 996/2010. The primary objective of the inquiry was to determine contributing factors and formulate safety recommendations to prevent future accidents, rather than to assign blame or liability.