Discus B strikes a mountain slope after losing control at low height
A pilot was killed when a Discus B lost control low over mountain terrain near Obergesteln and struck a steep slope; the glider was destroyed. Flying solo on an alpine cross-country course in weak, patchy thermals with little height to spare, the pilot was working close to the ground when control was lost. A witness saw an almost vertical, spinning descent, but the glider's light, forward loading and the impact marks pointed to a spiral dive rather than a true spin. No technical fault was found, and the loss of control was attributed to turbulence or to dropping below minimum flying speed — with too little height to recover.
- Solo on an alpine XC course: On a mountain cross-country course, the pilot was cleared for a solo flight and launched by aerotow.
- Scratching low in weak thermals: Thermals were weak and patchy with little height to spare; the pilot was working close to the terrain.
- Control lost low over the slope: Low over the ground, the glider entered an uncontrolled attitude — from turbulence or dropping below minimum speed.
- No height to recover: So close to the terrain, there was no room to regain control before impact.
- Steep descent into the slope: The glider descended almost vertically and struck the steep slope; it was destroyed and the pilot killed.