2012 Glaser-Dirks DG 400 accident at La Piarre (D-KBEM)

Accident Overview On 18 June 2012 at 13:36 local time, a private Glaser-Dirks DG 400 motorglider, registration D-KBEM, collided with the ground near La Piarre in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was killed. ## Flight Details The pilot took off from Serres la Bâtie-Montsaléon aerodrome at 12:57. After operating near the aerodrome, the engine was shut down at 13:02 at an altitude of 1,250 meters and restarted around 13:08 for approximately two minutes. The flight then continued with the engine off. ## Circumstances Following several passes over a ridge oriented southeast to northwest, the pilot lost control of the motorglider during a right turn. GNSS data indicated that ground speed decreased between points 4 and 5 of the flight path, reaching values close to 80 km/h. The aircraft's altitude never exceeded 1,690 meters during the flight. ## Investigation Findings Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any element that could have contributed to the accident. The pilot had 1,695 total flight hours, including 8 hours in the preceding three months, of which 6 were on type. The pilot had no recent experience flying in the Alps. ## Weather Conditions Estimated weather conditions at the accident site included wind from 180° at 10 knots, visibility greater than 10 km, altocumulus clouds with cumulus clouds having bases around 3,000 meters, and a temperature of 20°C. Showers were present west of the aerodrome.