Discus b loses control slope-soaring near an Alpine summit

The pilot of a Discus b was fatally injured when the glider lost control and struck a wooded Alpine slope; the aircraft was destroyed. On a solo soaring flight from Bex, the experienced pilot (about 4700 h) released from aerotow at 1 900 m MSL over a south-facing slope near Le Chamossaire in gusty south-westerly wind. He did not return, and the wreckage was found the next morning in the Bois des Lechieres. Why control was lost could not be determined; an aft centre of gravity and a possible pilot indisposition were noted as possible contributing factors.

1. Alpine slope soaring: On a solo flight from Bex, the Discus b released from aerotow at ~1 900 m MSL to soar a south-facing Alpine slope near Le Chamossaire.
2. Turbulent SW wind: The flight was in gusty south-westerly wind over the mountains.
3. Control lost, cause unknown: Over the slope the glider lost control for reasons that could not be determined.
4. Aft CG, possible malaise: An aft centre of gravity and a possible pilot indisposition were identified as possible contributors.
5. Struck wooded slope: The glider struck the wooded slope and was destroyed and the pilot was killed; the wreckage was found the next morning.