What happened
On March 20, 2002, at approximately 13:51 local time, a Rolladen Schneider LS-6B glider, registration HB-1939, crashed in the vicinity of Quinto, Switzerland. The aircraft had departed from Ambri via winch launch for a private flight. After climbing to an altitude of approximately 2,200 meters, the pilot was last seen performing maneuvers along a ridge. Later that afternoon, an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was detected. Following a search operation involving SAR and REGA helicopters, the wreckage was located in a forested area at approximately 23:00. The pilot, a Swiss national, sustained fatal injuries upon impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the pilot's medical condition. While an autopsy ruled out alcohol, drugs, or medication as contributing factors, it revealed significant physiological distress. The pilot was found to be in a state of advanced dehydration and fasting, evidenced by extremely low urine output and high ketone levels.
Technical examination of the Rolladen Schneider LS-6B showed no mechanical defects prior to the crash. Flight data recovered from a damaged flight computer confirmed the flight lasted roughly 26 minutes, reaching a peak altitude of 2,061 meters. The investigation also noted a discrepancy in the pilot's reported training hours; while records indicated significant recent flight time, the pilot had only logged 19 minutes of flight time in the eight months preceding the accident.
Findings
- The pilot likely experienced a loss of consciousness or impaired decision-making due to severe dehydration and lack of nutrition.
- Challenging meteorological conditions, including turbulent winds from the north/northeast, contributed to the difficulty of the flight.
- A lack of recent flight training and recent flight experience may have hindered the pilot's ability to manage the aircraft during physical impairment.