What happened
On July 27, 2012, a pilot was conducting a transition training flight in a DG-300 ELAN, registration HB-1902, near Mollis, Switzerland. The pilot was working toward completing a specific training requirement set by the Glarnerland Gliding Group, which mandates five flight hours and six landings on a new aircraft type.
After taking off via aero-tow from Mollis airfield, the pilot released from the towline at approximately 2,000 meters. The flight proceeded normally until the aircraft reached the northern ridge of the Rautialp. At approximately 15:16 local time, while flying at an altitude of roughly 2,030 meters, the pilot initiated a tight right-hand turn. This maneuver led to a sudden loss of control and a subsequent collision with a steep alpine pasture. The impact destroyed the cockpit and resulted in the death of the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage, flight data from the onboard FLARM collision warning system, and the pilot's training records. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was in a fully airworthy condition prior to the accident, with no mechanical failures or structural defects contributing to the crash. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits, and no other aircraft were detected in the vicinity via FLARM at the time of the maneuver.
Medical examinations and toxicology reports showed no evidence of pre-existing illness or impairment due to substances. The investigation also noted that while the pilot was experienced in other glider types, he had only accumulated approximately four hours of flight time specifically on the DG-300 ELAN model.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot initiating a steep right-hand turn at a low altitude, which induced a stall.
- The high degree of bank angle significantly increased the aircraft's stall speed, making the maneuver unsustainable at the existing altitude.
- The low altitude prevented the pilot from recovering from the resulting uncontrolled flight state.
- The pilot's limited experience with this specific aircraft model may have hindered an accurate assessment of the risks associated with the maneuver.