Elfe Standard V strikes ski lift cable in low-level mountain flight

The pilot of an Elfe Standard V was fatally injured when the glider struck a ski lift haul cable at low level near Muottas Muragl; aircraft destroyed. On only his second flight on the demanding type, and with limited overall experience, the pilot had launched by winch at Samedan for a local flight. Over a grassy ridge offering few height cues, the glider was flying fast only some 8 m above the ground when it hit the cable close to a support mast. The wing separated in flight and the fuselage struck the slope. The cause was flight below the minimum safe altitude; a technical failure could not be ruled out, though none was found.

1. Local soaring flight: The pilot launched by winch at Samedan for a local soaring flight, his second on the demanding Elfe Standard V.
2. Low experience on type: The pilot had limited overall gliding experience and was on only his second flight on the demanding type.
3. Very low over ridge: Near Muottas Muragl the glider was flown at roughly 8 m above a grassy ridge offering few visual height cues.
4. Ski lift cable strike: Flying fast in a slight right turn, the glider struck the haul cable of the Crasta ski lift about 8 m from a support mast.
5. In-flight breakup: The cable impact separated the wing from the fuselage, scattering wreckage down the slope.
6. Fatal impact: The fuselage struck the slope back-first, fatally injuring the pilot; the glider was destroyed.