A downdraft near a ridge drives an LS8 into the mountainside
The pilot of an LS8 was seriously injured when the glider met a downdraft while searching for lift near a mountain ridge and struck the slope; it was destroyed. On a national-team training flight he soared north with two teammates and turned left toward the terrain with only ~70 m of clearance. Unable to turn away from the ridge as the glider sank, he held the turn and guarded his speed, but it hit the ground on a 20-degree slope. Investigators found the altitude margin near the relief underestimated as growing experience and confidence eroded safety margins; his speed control probably averted a loss of control.
- Soaring near the ridge: After an aerotow from Puimoisson the pilot soared north with two teammates and searched for thermals near a summit.
- Low-clearance turn to terrain: He turned left toward the relief at about 2 070 m, roughly 70 m above terrain, to rejoin lift a teammate had found.
- Downdraft sinks the glider: A downdraft caused a rapid loss of height as he flew close to the ridge.
- Boxed in by terrain: Unable to turn right away from the slope, he held the left turn while guarding airspeed to avoid a stall.
- Impact on the slope: The glider struck vegetation then the ground on a 20-degree slope and was destroyed; the pilot was seriously injured but got out unaided.