DG-800 loses control circling close to an Alpine ridge
The pilot of a DG-800 S was seriously injured when the glider lost control circling in slope lift close to an Alpine ridge and struck the snow-covered slope; the glider was destroyed. Five hours into a long Alpine flight from Alzate Brianza, the pilot — experienced on type but with only one flight in the previous five months — was circling in lift on the south side of the Corno Mara at about 2 500 m. Control was lost, probably in turbulence or a strong downdraught, and the glider hit the slope. Seriously injured at altitude and without an ELT, the pilot was located seven hours later after giving his position by mobile phone.
- Long Alpine soaring flight: The DG-800 S was about five hours into a long Alpine flight from Alzate Brianza.
- Low currency, fatigue: The pilot was experienced on type but had flown only once in five months, and fatigue was setting in after five hours.
- Circling close to the ridge: He worked slope lift on the south side of the Corno Mara circling close to the ridge at about 2 500 m.
- Control lost in turbulence: The glider lost control, probably in turbulence or a strong downdraught.
- Struck the snowy slope: It struck the snow-covered slope and was destroyed; the pilot, seriously injured, was found seven hours later via mobile phone.