PW-5 strikes a tree in a turn while slope soaring low

A pilot was killed and the PW-5 destroyed while slope soaring low near Kötschach-Mauthen. He had been towed off Nötsch im Gailtal for a cross-country. The flight was being flown at low height along the slope, about 200 m below the Jukbichl. In a turn the right wing struck a tree, and the glider fell onto a forest track. The wreckage and the witness statements gave no sign of any pre-existing technical defect.

1. Cross-country from Nötsch im Gailtal: The pilot was towed off Nötsch im Gailtal for a cross-country.
2. Low along the slope: About 200 vertical metres below the Jukbichl, the flight was being made at low height along the slope.
3. A turn beside the trees: At about 13:15 the pilot began a turn. The right wing touched a tree.
4. Down onto a forest track: The glider fell onto a forest track and was destroyed. The pilot was killed. Neither the wreckage nor the witnesses showed any pre-existing technical defect.