Glasflügel 304 B loses both wings striking trees on a wooded ridge
A pilot was killed and the Glasflügel 304 B destroyed while ridge soaring the Hahnenkamm above Reutte. He had winch-launched at 12:24 from Reutte-Höfen for a ridge-soaring course he had flown several times before; gliders and paragliders were working the area, and one paraglider pilot moved back from the west side to the east because of strong sink in the lee. At about 14:30 the pilot was flying north close to the west slope at some 1,500 m MSL, 400 m above the valley. Beyond an unforested bowl the glider struck two spruces with its wings, lost both and fell onto a rocky slope.
- Ridge-soaring course at Reutte: The pilot winch-launched from Reutte-Höfen at 12:24 for a local flight over the Gaichtspitze and Hahnenkamm, on a ridge-soaring course he had taken several times before.
- Strong sink in the lee to the west: Several gliders and paragliders were working the area. One paraglider pilot crossed to the west side and went back to the east because of strong sink in the lee.
- North along the west slope: At about 14:30 the pilot was flying north close to the west slope of the Reuttener Hahnenkamm at about 1,500 m MSL, some 400 m above the Tannheimer valley.
- Two spruces beyond the bowl: Past an unforested bowl the ground rose into an adjoining wooded ridge. The glider struck two spruces there with its wings.
- Both wings torn off: The glider lost both wings and fell onto a steep rocky slope. The pilot was killed and the glider destroyed.