DG-300 Elan low-altitude loss of control; probable sudden medical incapacitation

The pilot of a DG-300 Elan died in a forest east of Les Rochat during a competition task; the aircraft was destroyed. The pilot had felt unwell from the previous evening with headache and circulatory complaints but flew the task anyway. Launched at 13:00 LT from Yverdon, he flew to the Creux-du-Van. During cruise at low altitude the glider lost 200 m in eight seconds in level flight, then made two abrupt left turns and impacted tall pines at ~115 km/h indicated. No distress call was made and no technical defects were identified; the probable cause was sudden in-flight medical incapacitation.

1. Championship task launch from Yverdon: At 13:00 LT on the penultimate day of the Swiss Gliding Championship at Yverdon, the DG-300 Elan launches on aerotow for the day's task; the pilot crosses the start line at 14:35 LT.
2. Pilot unwell since previous evening: From the evening before, the pilot felt unwell with headache and circulatory problems; he reported a headache again that morning but still flew, hood pulled tight despite mild weather.
3. Sudden 200 m loss in 8 seconds: During cruise near the Creux-du-Van, flight data show the glider lost about 200 m in eight seconds in level flight, inconsistent with the pilot's usual profile and suggesting an acute event.
4. Two abrupt left turns, high sink: The flight path then shows a brusque left turn with a brief climb, then a second left turn with a high sink rate lasting 24-30 seconds; no distress call was made and no parachute deployed.
5. High-speed impact in forest: The glider struck tall pines east of Les Rochat at high speed, nose-down about 40°; the airspeed indicator was jammed at 115 km/h. The pilot was fatally injured and the aircraft destroyed.
6. Probable sudden incapacitation: No pre-existing technical defects were found; the ELT was off and the logger enabled only mid-flight, pointing to sudden in-flight medical impairment as the probable cause.