Accident Summary
On 13 July 2003 at 12:18 local time, a DG-400 motor glider registered as HB-2127 crashed at Weissfluhjoch, Langwies, Switzerland. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and subsequent fire.
Flight History
The pilot departed from St. Gallen-Altenrhein at 10:09 local time with the intention of flying to the Engadin, Davos, and then on to the Wallis region. The exact flight path could not be reconstructed as the onboard recording device was destroyed in the crash.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported seeing the motor glider approaching Weissfluhjoch from Davos. It made a 90° right turn and flew towards the marked cables of the Weissfluhjoch-Weissfluhgipfel aerial cable car, at an altitude approximately 100 m above ground level (AGL). About 100 m before reaching the cables, the glider climbed sharply in a right turn and subsequently crashed.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The DG-400 is a single-seat motor glider with a retractable engine, built in 1987. It was privately owned and operated by the SAFE Säntis Aerobatic Fox Enthusiasts. The pilot, a Swiss national born in 1941, held a valid glider pilot license with PAX, GLI, and TMG endorsements. He had accumulated 1,059 hours and 44 minutes of total flight time, with 811 hours and 18 minutes on the accident aircraft type.
Investigation Findings
The aircraft was found within the weight and balance limits. An airworthiness directive (HB-2001-640) had not been performed, but it was determined to be unrelated to the accident. The retractable engine was retracted at the time of impact.
Weather conditions at the time included 1-3/8 cumulus clouds with a base of approximately 6,500 ft AMSL, visibility of 10-15 km with light haze, and north winds at 10 kt gusting to 16 kt. Moderate bise turbulence was present.
Toxicological analysis of the pilot showed ketone-positive urine, suggesting a possible hunger state, but hypoglycemia could not be confirmed in postmortem blood. No alcohol, drugs, or medications were detected. The cables of the aerial cable car were marked on aeronautical charts and with orange marker balls.
Probable Cause
The accident was determined to be due to a collision with terrain following a loss of control after a stall during an evasive maneuver.