Accident to the Rolladen Schneider LS8 registered D-7488 on 09/08/2025 at La Mure-Argens

During a flight in the mountainous region of Cordœil, the pilot, after unsuccessfully searching for uplifts on the west slope, turned around to fly to an area where a fellow team member had indicated there was a thermal uplift. Although the glider was flying close to the mountain, the pilot started a left-hand turn towards the high ground. The glider encountered a downdraft which resulted in a rapid decrease in altitude. Confined by the high ground, the pilot continued his turn and was unable to prevent the collision with the vegetation and the ground. His piloting skills and monitoring of the glider speed probably helped prevent an in-flight loss of control, thereby mitigating the consequences of the accident.