What happened
On August 8, 2003, a Grob-Werke Burkhart Twin Astir, registration D-3944, departed from Trento Mattarello airport for a recreational flight. During the mission, the aircraft flew over the Marmolada, Bolzano, and Val di Non. As the flight progressed, the glider experienced a continuous loss of altitude, dropping from 4,500 meters over the Marmolola to 2,000 meters as it left the Val di Non area.
Unable to find sufficient rising currents to return to the airport, the occupants decided to attempt an emergency landing on an uncultivated field near the Adige river. During the final approach, while executing a left turn to reach the landing strip, the aircraft entered a left-wing stall. The glider impacted a drainage pump at the mouth of the Caldaro ditch in San Michele all’Adige in a nose-down attitude. The impact destroyed the cockpit, damaged the wings, and bent the tail boom. The two occupants sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Investigators examined the flight path, the meteorological conditions (CAVOK with 10-knot winds), and the technical state of the aircraft. The investigation noted that the aircraft's airworthiness was not in question, as no technical failures were identified.
Investigators also reviewed the crew dynamics, noting conflicting statements regarding which occupant was actively controlling the aircraft during the final moments. The investigation also looked into the environmental factors, specifically the narrow landing area and the presence of irregular air currents.