Report on aviation accident at Grue community, Innlandet county, Norway on 3 May 2019 to Alexander Schleicher ASH 31 Mi, LN-GOM
Aviation report 2023/06
On Friday 3 May 2019 the pilot participated in the Norwegian Cup, Elverum Grand Prix Sailplane contest out of Elverum Airport Starmoen (ENSM). It was a multiple-point course competition. Weather conditions were variable with strong wind- and snow showers. The other participants aborted their flights at an early stage. The organizer did not call off the ongoing competition. Data from navigation instrument in LN-GOM shows that the pilot circled at low altitude just before the accident. A witness' video recording of the accident showed that controll was lost at low height and the sailplane fell to the ground. The pilot was fatally injured and the sailplane was totally destroyed.
The sailplane probably stalled and entered an incipient spin. The controll loss occurred at such low height that recovery was not possible. Wind conditions might have contributed to the loss of control.
The pilot was not wearing enough warm clothing for the conditions. He might have been suffering from hypothermia after flying for four hours in the cold environment. If so, it may have had a negative influence on his performance.
No technical malfunctions that could explain the accident has been found.
No safety recommendation is issued in connection with this investigation.
Published 01.06.2023
Facts
| Location | Grinder, Grue community, Hedmark county, Norway |
| Occurrence date | 03.05.2019 |
| Aircraft | Øvrige motorglidere |
| Operator | Private |
| Registration | LN-GOM |
| Meteorological conditions | VMC |
| County | Innlandet |
| Type of occurrence | Accident |
| Type of operation | Private |
| Category of operation | Light, aeroplane (< 5 700kg) |
| Aircraft category | Sailplane (incl. motorglider), Single-engine, Piston engine |
| FIR/AOR | ENOS (Oslo ATCC) |