DG-100 crash in Geschinen after steep turn leads to fatality
On July 16, 1988, a DG Flugzeugbau DG-100 ELAN crashed near Geschinen, Switzerland. The glider was observed making a steep right turn before descending rapidly and impacting a steep slope near avalanche barriers. The pilot was fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation concluded that the accident was likely due to the aircraft exceeding its minimum stall speed at low altitude. There were no other injuries or damages reported.
- Local soaring flight: After an aerotow launch from Münster and release near the Galmihornhütte, the pilot conducted a local soaring flight in the Galmihornhütte–Münster–Geschinen area.
- Steep right turn: While flying up-valley toward the Furka near Geschinergalen, the glider entered a very steep right-hand turn at low height above the steep slope.
- Low airspeed margin: The steep turn was flown at a low altitude over rising terrain, leaving little margin above the minimum safe flying speed and increasing stall risk.
- Limited recency on type: The pilot had relatively low and infrequent experience on the DG-100 ELAN over several years, which may have reduced his familiarity with its handling near stall.
- Inadequate stall avoidance: During or immediately after the steep right turn, the pilot did not maintain sufficient airspeed or bank control to prevent the aircraft from stalling.
- Nose drop and dive: Following the steep turn, the glider abruptly pitched forward into a near-vertical dive toward the slope, with only about one second of descent before impact.
- Crash - fatal: The glider impacted a steep slope near avalanche barriers at Geschinergalen and was destroyed, fatally injuring the pilot.