ASW 19 incident at Scex Rouge results in fatal collision with rock face
On August 21, 1991, a pilot flying an Alexander Schleicher ASW 19 B on a local training flight crashed into a rock face at Scex Rouge, Switzerland. The incident occurred around 1610 local time when the glider collided with the mountain after executing a steep left turn or possibly entering a spin. The pilot was killed instantly, and the glider was destroyed. The official investigation attributed the accident to inappropriate flight tactics in an area prone to strong downdrafts.
- Aerotow ridge flight: The pilot aerotowed from Bex around 1448 for a local training flight and later flew ridge-soaring along the Scex Rouge in the Diablerets area.
- Leeward downdraft area: The pilot repeatedly flew through the east slope and Dar combe on the leeward side of Scex Rouge, an area known to generate strong downdrafts and turbulence in westerly winds.
- Low, deep in combe: At about 1600 the glider was observed flying lower and deeper into the Dar combe on the east side of Scex Rouge, exposing it to strong sink close to terrain and cable car wires.
- Abrupt left turn: In attempting to turn left away from the east slope and avoid the cable car cables, the pilot initiated a very tight left turn at low height near the ridge.
- Develops steep turn/spin: The glider entered a very steep left bank and likely an incipient or fully developed spin, completing about one and a half turns while descending toward the slope.
- Crash - fatal: After roughly one and a half turns the glider struck the east rock face of Scex Rouge about 50 m below the ridge, destroying the aircraft and killing the pilot instantly.