Glider spins during a low turn at a mountain slope
An experienced competition pilot was killed when a glider stalled and spun during a low turn at a mountain slope and hit the ground; it was destroyed. Soon after a winch launch, the glider worked the Chantaluf slope briefly, then turned right low over the crest, dropped a wing and spun — too low to recover. The glider was at its aftmost centre of gravity and its camber flaps were set to a non-positive position that raised the stall speed, and the slope air was gusty. Circling low in turbulence needs an extra speed margin, especially with an aft CoG; why the pilot flew such a tactic could not be established.
- Winch launch, then to the slope: After a winch launch at Samedan, the glider turned to the Chantaluf slope during a regional competition.
- Aft CoG and non-positive flap: The glider was at its aftmost centre of gravity, and its camber flaps were set to a non-positive position that raised the stall speed.
- Gusty slope, tight low turn: In gusty slope air, the pilot flew a low right turn over the crest without an extra speed reserve.
- Wing drops, spin: The glider stalled, dropped a wing and entered a spin.
- Too low to recover; pilot killed: There was too little height to recover the spin; the glider hit the ground and was destroyed, killing the pilot.