Glider crashes in Austrian woodland following paraglider avoidance maneuver

Casualties unknown • im Waldgebiet, Gemeinde Micheldorf, Oberösterreich, AT

A glider pilot sustained serious injuries after performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a paraglider, leading to a collision with treetops in Micheldorf, Austria.

What happened

On September 15, 2019, at approximately 12:31 UTC, a SZD-30 „Pirat“ glider departed from the Micheldorf airfield (LOLM) via winch launch, initially heading north before turning east toward the Altpernstein Castle area. During the flight, the pilot performed several turns.

At the same time, a paraglider was operating in the same vicinity. The paraglider pilot reported turning left at the end of the Pröller mountain, which caused the glider to pass to the right of the paraglider. To avoid a mid-air collision with the paraglider, the glider pilot attempted to tighten the turning radius. This maneuver caused the nose of the aircraft to point directly toward the slope. As the pilot attempted a subsequent right turn to move away from the terrain, the aircraft's altitude was insufficient to clear the treetops. The glider struck the trees and crashed into a steeply descending wooded area.

The investigation

The investigation was conducted by the Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB). Investigators reconstructed the flight path using statements from both pilots, eyewitness accounts, and data from the aircraft's onboard traffic information and collision avoidance system. The investigation also examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's medical and flight experience, and the prevailing meteorological conditions.

Findings

  • The pilot sustained one serious injury during the accident.
  • The SZD-30 „Pirat“ was destroyed upon impact.
  • The pilot held all required and valid licenses and medical certifications at the time of the flight.
  • There were no indications of pre-existing health issues affecting the pilot's performance.
  • The aircraft was properly registered, insured, and maintained, with no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing defects.
  • Meteorological conditions were favorable and were ruled out as a cause of the accident.
  • The pilot had relatively low flight experience on this specific aircraft type.
  • The primary cause of the accident was the late detection or perception of the collision risk with the paraglider.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the pilot's delayed recognition of a potential collision with a paraglider, which necessitated an aggressive maneuvering sequence that resulted in insufficient altitude to clear the terrain and treetops.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-09-15 SZD-30 „Pirat“ accident near im Waldgebiet, Gemeinde Micheldorf, Oberösterreich, AT?

A glider pilot sustained serious injuries after performing an evasive maneuver to avoid a paraglider, leading to a collision with treetops in Micheldorf, Austria.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-09-15 involved a SZD-30 „Pirat“, at im Waldgebiet, Gemeinde Micheldorf, Oberösterreich, AT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's delayed recognition of a potential collision with a paraglider, which necessitated an aggressive maneuvering sequence that resulted in insufficient altitude to clear the terrain and treetops.

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