What happened
On May 26, 2012, a Carat A touring motor glider, registration HB-2124, departed from Hausen am Albis for a VFR flight. The flight proceeded through several climbing phases using engine power, maintaining altitudes between approximately 1,100 and 2,000 meters.
As the aircraft flew near Gottschalkenberg, it entered an uncontrolled descent. Eyewitnesses observed the aircraft flying with a significant bank angle before it pitched forward into a high-speed spiral dive. The aircraft struck a meadow between Hütten and Menzingen. The pilot sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The investigation
SUST examined flight data from the aircraft's navigation computer and PowerFLARM device, alongside witness statements and meteorological records. The investigation looked into the pilot's flight experience, the aircraft's maintenance history, and the prevailing weather conditions.
Investigators noted that while the pilot held a valid PPL(A) and TMG rating, he had very limited experience with this specific model, having completed fewer than ten flight hours in the Carat A. Furthermore, there was no documented formal type training for this aircraft. The investigation also considered the pilot's medical history, noting an increased cardiovascular risk, though a sudden incapacitation could not be definitively proven.
Findings
- The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits.
- No pre-existing technical defects were identified in the aircraft.
- The aircraft was flying at a speed that was too low relative to the prevailing wind gusts.
- The Carat A exhibits challenging flight characteristics when encountering uncontrolled flight states.
- The pilot lacked sufficient experience and formal instruction regarding the specific aircraft type.
- Wind conditions at the time included gusts of up to 35 km/h, which likely contributed to an aerodynamic stall or spin during a maneuver.