SGS 1-35 pilot is found dead in the cockpit after an in-flight cardiovascular event

A pilot was found dead in the cockpit of his undamaged SGS 1-35 after he landed in a field beside a Texas gliderport, and the cause was given as incapacitation from cardiovascular disease. He had launched by aerotow about two hours earlier, and no one heard a landing call or a distress call. Another pilot returning to the gliderport found him about 140 m short of the intended landing area, still strapped into harness and parachute with the canopy closed, in air above 32 °C. A later examination found an aileron connection that was not properly secured, although its pin remained seated enough for the control to work.

1. Local flight from a gliderport: The pilot was launched by aerotow from a Texas gliderport in the early afternoon for a local flight.
2. Cardiovascular event in flight: At a point the investigation could not establish, the pilot was incapacitated by a cardiovascular event.
3. Lands in a field short of the site: The glider was put down in an open field about 140 m short of the intended landing area, and came to rest undamaged.
4. No radio call, no one alerted: No landing call and no distress call were heard, and the time of the landing could not be determined.
5. Found in the cockpit about 17:00: Another pilot returning to the gliderport found him still strapped into harness and parachute with the canopy closed, in air above 32 °C.