DG-800 crash in Radevormwald after pilot suffers medical emergency
On June 14, 2000, a Glaser-Dirks DG-800 B motor glider crashed into a forest near Radevormwald, Germany. The pilot, who was flying alone, was fatally injured. The flight began without incident, but witnesses observed the aircraft entering an uncontrolled spin before descending rapidly. An investigation revealed no technical faults with the aircraft. It was concluded that the pilot suffered an acute coronary event, leading to the loss of control.
- Self-launch thermalling: The pilot self-launched in the DG-800 B motor glider for a local thermalling flight, with takeoff and initial climb proceeding normally.
- Acute heart failure: During the cruise/thermalling portion of the flight, the pilot suffered an acute coronary event and died in flight.
- Loss of control: With the pilot incapacitated, the motor glider entered an uncontrolled attitude with spin-like motions and descended toward the ground.
- Crash - fatal: The uncontrolled motor glider impacted a nearby forest and was destroyed, fatally injuring the sole pilot.