ASW 19 spins from 40 metres above the treetops at the end of a ridge line

The pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed when it dropped a wing and spun into trees from 40 to 50 metres up. Homeward bound from St. Johann in Tirol, the pilot climbed to about 2990 m MSL, crossed the Inn valley and glided west along a ridge line, sinking continuously. Ground speed fell steadily near the end. At the end of the ridge the glider probably went below minimum flying speed in sudden wind changes, rolled right and spun. Both wings broke off against the trees and the pilot was thrown from the cockpit. The pilot reported a blow on the right wing, maybe a bird or drone; no trace of it was found, nor was it excluded.

1. Homeward glide along a ridge: Returning to the home field in Bavaria, the pilot released at about 1250 m MSL, climbed to about 2990 m MSL in good thermals, crossed the Inn valley and glided west along a ridge.
2. Continuous sink, no further climb: The glide ran on in an almost straight line to the west with steady sink, following the ridge towards a col, and no further height was gained.
3. 40 to 50 metres above the treetops: By the crest area at about 1637 m MSL the glider had only 40 to 50 metres of height above the treetops left.
4. Ground speed decaying: Analysis of the flight path showed the speed over the ground falling steadily in the last stretch before the accident.
5. Wing drop and spin to the right: At the end of the ridge the glider probably went below minimum flying speed in sudden changes of wind direction and strength, dropped the right wing and spun.
6. Both wings torn off in the trees: The wings struck the trees and broke off, and the fuselage hit the steep ground. The pilot was thrown from the cockpit and seriously injured.