Pilot bails out after the rear headrest jams the elevator in aerobatics

A glider pilot bailed out and parachuted to safety with minor injuries after the elevator jammed during aerobatics; the abandoned glider crashed into a vineyard and was destroyed. Midway through the display the pilot found the control stick would no longer come back and the glider could not be levelled. The rear-seat headrest had tipped forward onto the rear control stick and blocked it: the safety cords meant to hold the headrest up were missing from the glider. The pre-flight check had not caught this — the flight manual carried aboard was an outdated copy without the headrest check — and the pilot was unaware of the known blockage risk.

1. Aerobatic display over Sion: A DG-500 two-seater flew a solo aerobatic display; the rear-seat headrest safety cords were missing.
2. Rear headrest unsecured: The cords that keep the rear headrest upright were not fitted, so it could tip forward onto the rear control stick.
3. Headrest tips onto the rear stick: During an aerobatic figure the rear headrest tipped forward and blocked the rear control stick.
4. Elevator jammed, cannot level: The pilot could not pull the stick back or level the glider; trim made no difference.
5. Pilot bails out: The pilot jettisoned the canopy, jumped and parachuted down, landing with minor injuries.
6. Glider destroyed: The abandoned glider crashed into a vineyard and was destroyed.