Kestrel H401 low-altitude alpine impact near Gsteig

The pilot of a Kestrel H401 was fatally injured in a near-vertical nose-first impact onto an alpine pasture ~3.5 km NE of Gsteig during a ridge-soaring flight in the Bernese Oberland; aircraft destroyed. After release from aerotow at Saanen and ridge work along the Eggli–Staldenflüe ridges, the glider was seen at low altitude over the Chrinepass; witnesses described a steep curve followed by a near-vertical descent of about two seconds into a meadow. The last FLARM position was 40 m from the impact site at 1 707 m MSL. Probable cause: acute incapacitation with a stall and spiral dive as consequence.

1. Aerotow from Saanen, ridge work: The pilot took off from Saanen in aerotow with the Kestrel H401 and released at 1,770 m MSL, after a familiarization flight with a local instructor at the gliding camp the day before.
2. Ridge work along Eggli–Staldenflüe: After release the pilot worked the front and back Eggli ridges, gaining about 230 m, then moved to the Staldenflüe's south face without gaining height, continuing toward Chrinepass.
3. Probable acute incapacitation: Post-mortem examination found severe pre-existing heart and aortic disease; an acute cardiovascular event causing incapacitation likely explained the loss of control witnesses observed.
4. Low altitude approaching tree group: Witnesses at about 1,640 m MSL saw the glider at low altitude flying toward a group of trees on the slope above the Chrinepass, with an estimated height shortly before of about 1,710 m MSL.
5. Steep curve; near-vertical descent: Witnesses described the glider leaving a steep turn into a near-vertical, nose-first descent lasting about two seconds, consistent with a stall and brief spiral dive with no recovery margin.
6. Nose-first impact in alpine pasture: The Kestrel struck the pasture nose-first past vertical, cockpit penetrating deep into the turf; one wing tore off, thrown downslope. The pilot died, aircraft destroyed, no fire.