What happened
On August 5, 2006, a Schempp Hirth SHK-1 glider, registration I-CIAU, departed from Rieti's Ciuffelli airport for a training flight. The pilot intended to fly toward the Pescasseroli area and return to Rieti. During the flight, the pilot utilized thermal currents near Monte Breccioso to maintain altitude. However, by approximately 13:45, the aircraft began a steady descent.
As the altitude dropped, the pilot attempted several spiral turns to regain lift, but the descent continued. At one point, the pilot radioed another glider to announce the possibility of an off-field landing due to the loss of altitude. Witnesses observed the glider performing low-altitude turns near Valle Chiara before it descended steeply, brushed through treetops, and struck the ground in a nose-down attitude. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation utilized data from two onboard GPS instruments to reconstruct the flight path. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in an airworthy condition, having recently undergone extensive repairs and a successful airworthiness review. The investigation also examined the physical wreckage and interviewed eyewitnesses.
Investigators analyzed the flight dynamics, noting that while the pilot was experienced and the weather was generally suitable, local micro-meteorological phenomena, such as turbulence or sink, could have influenced the final stages of the flight. The wreckage examination showed that the flight control system remained intact until the impact, and no mechanical failures were identified as contributing to the descent.
Findings
- The pilot was appropriately licensed and experienced for the flight.
- The aircraft was mechanically sound and had a valid certificate of airworthiness.
- The pilot was attempting an off-field landing in a small meadow.
- The late initiation of the flare maneuver was the primary cause of the accident, likely driven by the need to maintain a steep descent angle to reach the start of the limited landing area.
- The high-impact forces caused significant cockpit destruction, highlighting the importance of cockpit crashworthiness.