Silent 2 Electro stall in turn close to slope after long XC
After a stall in a turn close to a slope near La Mapas, the pilot of an Alisport Silent 2 Electro was fatally injured. The electric ULM glider had been aerotowed from Thun at 10:52 for a cross-country. Around 15:37, after five hours, the glider was north of Sion at about 1,700 m AMSL, flying west close to a slope in weak-to-moderate thermals. A witness saw the nose pitch up, a turn begin, and after about 90 deg of rotation the glider descend near-vertically, impacting a steep slope at about 1,630 m AMSL. Minimum speed in the turn was not maintained close to the terrain. Autopsy found long-term medication that may have impaired reaction.
- Aerotow launch from Thun: Aerotow at 10:52 from Thun (LSZW) for a VFR cross-country flight; aircraft an electric self-launching ultralight glider.
- Long cross-country flight: About five hours of soaring; at 15:37 the glider was north of Sion at ~1 700 m AMSL, flying west close to a slope. Thermal conditions were weak to moderate.
- Min speed not maintained in turn: Witness saw the nose pitch up and a turn initiate; flight below minimum speed in the turn — SUST cause finding.
- Loss of control, near-vertical descent: After about a 90° rotation the aircraft departed controlled flight; insufficient height for recovery given the proximity to the slope.
- Impact on steep slope at La Mapas: At 15:40 the glider impacted a steep slope at ~1 630 m AMSL near La Mapas, Conthey (VS). Aircraft destroyed; pilot fatally injured.