Overview
On 9 June 2010, an SZD-59 "ACRO" glider operated by an Austrian club crashed in the municipality of Kalwang, Styria. The accident occurred after 10:05 UTC in the Obere Liesingau area. The pilot, the sole occupant, suffered fatal injuries and the glider was destroyed.
Flight History
The pilot began the flight at approximately 09:24 UTC from Leoben/Timmersdorf civil airport (LOGT) using aerotow. The intended flight was a visual flight toward the Dachstein mountains. After release, the pilot flew west along the southern side of the Eisenerzer Alpen range. He then descended into the Liesingtal valley, flying eastward. Around 10:05 UTC, between the towns of Kalwang and Mautern, the pilot flew loops at conspicuously low altitude over the north side of the valley.
Accident Location
The glider impacted the ground south of the Schoberpass road, within a windbreak belt. The coordinates were N 47°25'05" E 014°46'18" at an elevation of 736 meters above sea level. The wreckage was found on 10 June 2010.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The glider was completely destroyed.
Investigation
The Austrian Safety Investigation Board (Sicherheitsuntersuchungsstelle des Bundes – Bereich Zivilluftfahrt) conducted the investigation. The report noted that the pilot flew loops at very low height before the impact. No probable cause was stated in the available summary.