DG-300 Elan stalls in tight low ridge turn

The pilot of a DG-300 Elan was fatally injured when the glider stalled in a tight low ridge turn on the Rautialp in Glarus Nord; aircraft destroyed. After aerotow release at ~2,000 m near Wageten, the pilot soared locally between ~1,840-2,265 m. Approaching the Rautialp he followed the northern crest at ~2,030 m — low above terrain — and initiated a tight right turn. The glider stalled, lost control and impacted the alpine pasture; recovery was not possible at that height. The pilot had only 4:04 hours and eight prior flights on the DG-300 Elan.

1. Aerotow + local XC from Mollis: The pilot took an aerotow from Mollis and released near Wageten at about 2,000 m AGL, then soared a local cross-country flight in the area at altitudes between roughly 1,840 m and 2,265 m AGL.
2. Very low experience on DG-300 Elan: The pilot was experienced overall but had only 4 hours 4 minutes and eight prior flights on the DG-300 Elan type, limiting his familiarity with the type's low-speed handling.
3. Northern crest ~2,030 m, low margin: Approaching the Rautialp area the pilot followed the northern crest at about 2,030 m AGL, with limited height margin above the moderately sloping alpine pasture below.
4. Tight right turn at low altitude: At ~15:17 LT, while following the northern crest of the Rautialp, the pilot initiated a tight right-hand turn at low altitude over the ridge.
5. Stall and loss of control: The steep low-altitude right turn likely produced an aerodynamic stall and loss of control. The available height was insufficient for recovery.
6. Impact on alpine pasture; pilot fatal: Out of control, the DG-300 Elan struck the moderately sloping alpine pasture on the Rautialp. The pilot was fatally injured and the airframe destroyed. Minor turf damage.