Factual Background
On 3 April 2016 at 13:15 UTC, a DG-400 motor glider (manufactured by Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, type certificate holder DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH) crashed in terrain at coordinates N 46°42'56", E 012°54'52", elevation 1940 m, on a southwest slope with approximately 23° inclination covered in snow, at "Auf der Mussen" near St. Jakob im Lesachtal, Carinthia, Austria. The aircraft was destroyed. The pilot, a 47-year-old male, held a valid glider pilot license and medical certificate. His total flight experience was 781 hours 16 minutes (456 starts), with 456 hours 14 minutes (104 starts) on the accident aircraft type. His last flight prior to the accident was on 4 July 2015.
Accident Sequence
The pilot departed from Flugplatz Nötsch (LOKN) at 12:01 UTC, initially heading east. Approximately 6 km southwest of Villach, at around 12:13 UTC, he changed course near Storfhöhe and flew westward along the Villacher Alpe. At 13:15 UTC, the accident occurred. A witness, also a pilot flying northwest of Kötschach-Mauthen at about 1700 m altitude, observed a glider in an unusual flight attitude, which he described as a pull-up followed by a steep turn. He then saw a glider lying in a snowfield. The witness attempted to broadcast an emergency call on a radio frequency but was unsuccessful; he alerted the police by mobile phone. The witness had been with the accident pilot the previous evening at an inn; the pilot did not consume alcohol and retired to his accommodation around 22:00. On the morning of the accident, the pilot had breakfast at approximately 08:00 and likely had no further meals that day.
Pilot Information
Before the first flight of the season, the pilot, as was common among his flying peers, took Neo-Emedyl tablets to prevent nausea. He had been on sick leave from 29 to 31 March 2016 due to a cold without fever, but a medical examination on 1 April 2016 revealed no pathology. The pilot obtained his glider license in 2002-2003; he was described as reliable, conscientious, highly intelligent, scientifically oriented, critical, without tendencies toward reckless behavior, and somewhat of a loner. Acquaintances described him as ambitious, conscientious, and methodical. Before the accident flight, he appeared slightly unfocused, exiting the aircraft four times to retrieve additional items.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. No other persons were involved, and no other damage was reported.