What happened
On July 25, 2008, a Schempp-Hirth Discus-2cT, registration HB-2435, was performing a training flight near Saanen, Switzerland. The pilot, who was conducting an instructional session to practice engine operations, departed from Saanen via aero-tow. After releasing from the tow plane at approximately 1,900 meters, the pilot began a gliding phase.
During the flight, the engine was extended but not started. Instead of following a standard approach pattern for runway 26, the aircraft performed abrupt, high-bank turns. The aircraft subsequently entered a right-hand spin that continued until impact. The glider struck a beach volleyball court at a local swimming pool, destroying the cockpit and the aircraft. The impact also damaged a pine tree and a net mast. The pilot was killed in the accident.
The investigation
Investigators reconstructed the flight path using data from the onboard FLARM collision warning system and eyewitness accounts. The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the pilot's medical history, and the flight maneuvers leading to the crash.
Technical analysis confirmed that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within limits and no mechanical failures were found. The engine was found in the extended position, but the propeller blades showed no signs of power being applied at the moment of impact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's medical records, noting a history of significant cardiovascular issues, including multiple angioplasties, stent implantations, and a coronary bypass surgery.
Findings
- The pilot had limited recent experience with this specific aircraft model.
- The aircraft was flying with the engine extended but without the engine running.
- The flight path deviated significantly from standard approach procedures for Saanen.
- The pilot suffered from severe pre-existing heart disease, including a history of myocardial infarctions and the presence of a pacemaker.
- The sudden, erratic maneuvers and the entry into a spin suggest the pilot may have experienced a loss of control due to a medical event.