Glasflügel Mosquito collision with tree during alpine maneuver near Pontresina
On July 11, 1985, a Glasflügel Mosquito was involved in a fatal accident near Pontresina, Switzerland. The pilot attempted a steep turn towards a mountain slope, resulting in a loss of altitude. The glider collided with a tree on the southwest slope of the Schafberg, causing the aircraft to break apart. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Turbulence may have been a contributing factor, but the primary cause was identified as inappropriate flight tactics in mountainous terrain.
- Cruise near slope: After a normal winch launch from Samedan and about 2¼ hours of soaring, the glider was cruising down-valley at about 2200 m along the right side of Val Bernina toward Samedan.
- Steep turn toward slope: Near the Unterer Schafberg restaurant, the pilot initiated a steep, nose‑high right turn toward the southwest slope of the Schafberg, with the terrain only about 100–150 m away.
- Mountain flight tactic: The maneuver represented an inappropriate mountain flying tactic, involving a tight turn toward rising terrain with limited height and escape options.
- Possible turbulence: Local turbulence in the sunlit slope area may have contributed to an uncommanded loss of height during the maneuver.
- Loss of altitude: As the glider came around to approximately opposite course during the steep turn, it lost altitude in close proximity to the slope.
- Impact with tree: About three-quarters of the way through the turn, the glider struck a tree downslope with its right wing, causing both wings to separate and the fuselage to break apart.
- Crash - fatal: The fuselage wreckage slid down the steep forested slope and the pilot, though initially rescued alive, succumbed shortly afterward to severe internal injuries.