What happened
On August 2, 2004, a Schepp-Hirth Ventus CM glider, registration HB-2210, crashed into terrain in the Tsa de l’Ano area, near the municipality of Evolène, Switzerland. The aircraft was engaged in a private VFR cross-country flight. The pilot had departed from Sisteron, France, earlier that day after an overnight stay. The flight was being conducted as a motorless soaring flight, with the retractable engine in the retracted position.
The wreckage was discovered the following day by a hiker who spotted the debris on a mountainside approximately 26 km south-southeast of Sion. The impact was severe, with the forward section of the aircraft completely destroyed. The debris field was concentrated within a 20-meter radius, and the aircraft struck the rocky ground at an angle of more than 45 degrees.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft, the pilot's medical history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Technical inspections of the HB-2210 revealed no mechanical or structural defects that contributed to the crash. The engine was found in the retracted position, confirming the aircraft was flying without motor assistance. Notably, the aircraft's Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was found in the OFF position.
Medical examinations and autopsy confirmed that the pilot was wearing his seatbelt and holding the controls at the time of impact. Although the pilot had a known serious illness, medical experts determined it did not impair his fitness to fly. Toxicology reports showed no presence of alcohol or drugs. Investigators also noted that a flight logger was recovered, but the data was unrecoverable due to a disconnected backup battery.
Findings
- The pilot was an experienced flyer with significant flight hours.
- No ATC flight plan had been filed for the flight.
- The aircraft was in a sound technical condition with no evidence of pre-existing defects.
- Environmental factors, such as 10 to 15 knot winds, may have caused turbulence or downdrafts near the mountainside.
- The rocky and barren terrain may have made it difficult to accurately judge the distance to the slope.
- The exact cause of the collision with the terrain could not be determined.