What happened
On May 24, 2004, at approximately 10:51 UTC, an ASW 20 L glider was engaged in thermalling flight near the Nikolaihöhe in the municipality of Feldkirchen, Carinthia. The flight began at Feldkirchen airfield, where the pilot was towed by a Diomona HK 36 to an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level. At roughly 10:30 UTC, the pilot released from the tow rope over the Ossiacher Tauern.
While flying over the Nikolaihöhe, the aircraft descended rapidly, striking the ground approximately 200 meters below the peak. The glider impacted several trees before hitting the ground and coming to rest in a steep, 40-degree ravine. The pilot sustained severe injuries and remained trapped in the cockpit until rescuers could extract the aircraft using a rope recovery system.
The investigation
The investigation was reconstructed based on findings from the Feldkirchen district gendarmerie and investigators from the Federal Safety Investigation Office (SUB). The investigation focused on the flight path and the condition of the aircraft at the time of the impact. Investigators confirmed that the elevator remained functional and capable of transmitting control forces during the event. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were characterized by Visual Flight Rules (VFR) visibility.
Findings
- The aircraft, a Schleicher ASW 20 L, was destroyed in the crash.
- The pilot suffered severe injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.
- The primary cause of the accident was the uncontrolled descent into terrain following the flight over the Nikolaihöhe.