What happened
On September 8, 2004, at approximately 10:18 UTC, a tandem flight was initiated from a launch site located at the summit of the Blaser mountain (elevation 2,241 meters) in the Wipptal region of Tyrol, Austria. The aircraft, a Wills Wing Falcon 225, was carrying a pilot and one passenger.
While weather conditions were otherwise optimal, the wind direction had shifted from the predicted northwest to a northeast or easterly direction. This resulted in an unfavorable crosswind from the right during the takeoff roll. Immediately after liftoff, the aircraft was pushed to the left, causing the outer left edge of the wing to strike a rocky outcrop. Following this impact, the hang glider fell into the steep, rugged terrain, which featured a slope of approximately 40 degrees.
The investigation
The investigation reconstructed the sequence of events using witness statements and findings from public safety authorities. The investigation examined the environmental conditions, the aircraft's weight and balance, and the physical characteristics of the occupants to determine the factors leading to the impact with the rock ledge.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the unfavorable wind direction, which created a significant crosswind from the right during the takeoff phase.
- The takeoff run was extremely short, measuring only about 12 to 15 meters before the wing struck the rock.
- The aircraft was loaded near its maximum takeoff weight of 227 kg, which, combined with the lower air density at high altitude, negatively impacted performance.
- Discrepancies in the physical profiles of the occupants, including a height difference of approximately 20 cm and a weight difference of 15 kg, contributed to instability during the initial flight phase.
- The impact resulted in two fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.