LS 7 strikes a steep mountainside while soaring low in turbulence

An LS 7 struck a steep, rocky mountainside while soaring low in strong turbulence; the pilot was killed and the glider destroyed. After an aerotow, the pilot released at about 2,250 m MSL and worked thermals and ridge lift for roughly an hour. A hang-glider pilot nearby watched it follow the rocky contours very closely in very turbulent wind. Low over the ground on the south side of a peak, it flew a long curve and a full circle, then dropped into steep, fissured terrain. The wreck lay on a slope of about 50 degrees; no technical defects were found.

1. Ridge and thermal soaring: After an aerotow release at about 2,250 m MSL, the pilot worked thermals and ridge lift in the mountains south of the valley for roughly an hour.
2. Strong turbulence near terrain: The wind was demanding and very turbulent; a hang-glider pilot nearby watched the glider follow the rocky mountain contours very closely.
3. Low, tight manoeuvring at the slope: Low above the ground on the south side of a peak, the glider flew a long, drawn-out curve and a full circle close to the steep rock.
4. Impact with steep terrain: The glider dropped into heavily fissured, steeply falling ground on a slope of about 50 degrees, striking nose and left wing first; it was destroyed and the pilot killed.