Escape turn from sink at low speed stalls LS 8-18 into ridge

The pilot of an LS 8-18 was seriously injured during a soaring flight near Ulrichen in the Walliser Alps and the glider was destroyed. After an early release at about 2,200 m MSL to avoid traffic, the pilot flew ridge figure-8s on an unfamiliar slope at about 112 km/h. Lift stopped unexpectedly and the aircraft entered sink. The pilot initiated a 180 degree reversal turn but airspeed fell below the minimum flying speed; with the aft CG — a tail battery left installed — aggravating wing drop, he lost control near the ground and the LS 8-18 struck the mountainside. Aft CG and a low-speed reversal in sink drove the stall close to terrain.

1. Aerotow, early release at Geschinergale: At 13:11 the pilot launched on aerotow from Münster for a local flight in the Walliser Alps, releasing early near the Geschinergale at 2,200 m MSL to avoid expected glider congestion.
2. Aft CG: tail battery installed: A tail battery installed on this flight put the CG at 397 mm aft of reference, near the top of the permitted 280-400 mm range, raising the risk of wing drop and spin after a stall.
3. Early release in unfamiliar area: Releasing early at the Geschinergale avoided a crowded thermalling area, but left the pilot little time to assess conditions in the Ulrichengale, unfamiliar from earlier flights.
4. Lift stops, sink at Ulrichengale: The pilot moved to the Ulrichengale and began ridge figure-8s at about 112 km/h; extending the second toward the Obertal, he unexpectedly lost lift and hit stronger sink near 2,200 m MSL.
5. Low-speed 180° reversal turn: Surprised by the sink, with little height and a rising slope ahead, the pilot could not gain speed; he began a 180° reversal turn toward better ground, noting a reduced speed margin.
6. Wing drops near ridge: Past about 180° of the turn the right wing dropped toward the slope; airspeed had probably fallen below minimum, and the aft CG aggravated an unrecoverable stall close to the ground.
7. Mountain impact, serious injury: The LS 8-18 struck a steep slope near Ulrichen at 2,170 m MSL, nose first, sliding ~19.5 m; the injured pilot stayed conscious and phoned for help. Rescuers arrived at 14:10.