What happened
On June 23, 2010, at approximately 16:43 UTC, a DG-300 ELAN glider, registration HB-1842, crashed into a forest approximately 1 km east of Les Rochat, Switzerland. The pilot was participating in the 2010 Swiss Gliding Championship, having departed from Yverdon earlier that afternoon. During the flight, the aircraft's flight path data indicates that after a period of stable flight, the aircraft suddenly lost 200 meters of altitude within eight seconds, followed by an abrupt left turn and a high-rate descent into the trees. The impact occurred at a high speed, resulting in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators from SUST examined the wreckage, flight data from a GPS logger, and medical evidence. The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were found to be within permissible limits, and no pre-existing mechanical defects were identified that could have caused the crash. While the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) was not activated, the investigation focused heavily on the pilot's physical condition. Evidence showed that the pilot had experienced significant health issues starting the evening before the accident, including headaches and nausea. Furthermore, the physical state of the pilot's body at the scene, specifically the unusual cramping of both hands, provided critical clues for the investigators.
Findings
Technical analysis confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the broken elevator linkage was a result of the impact rather than fatigue. The investigation established that the pilot experienced a sudden medical incapacitation during the flight. This conclusion is supported by the rapid loss of altitude and the lack of any attempt by the pilot to declare an emergency or deploy a parachute. The symptoms reported by the pilot prior to takeoff—such as headaches that worsened with head movement—are consistent with a potential cerebral aneurysm rupture, which could lead to an acute neurological event or seizure.