What happened
On July 30, 2004, at approximately 15:12 local time, a GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G-102 ASTIR CS, registration EC-EKP, departed from the Fuentemilanos aerodrome for a local flight. The aircraft was initially towed for takeoff, releasing from the towline at an altitude of 500 meters.
While climbing in a thermal, the pilot encountered a group of vultures, a common occurrence in the region. The aircraft ascended alongside the birds for approximately 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of roughly 1,850 meters. During this phase of flight, a vulture struck the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer. The impact caused significant damage, severely compromising the glider's controllability.
Approximately 35 seconds after the collision, the pilot determined that the aircraft could no longer be safely operated. At an altitude of about 1,400 meters, the pilot opened the canopy and exited the aircraft via parachute. The parachute deployed successfully, and the pilot landed on the ground without injury. The glider subsequently impacted the terrain in the municipality of Abades, resulting in the complete destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight sequence and the circumstances surrounding the bird strike. The investigation established that the pilot was flying with a valid glider pilot license and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was also valid at the time of the accident. Meteorological conditions were favorable, with visibility exceeding 10,000 meters and light winds.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the impact of a vulture with the horizontal stabilizer, which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.
- The pilot's decision to fly in close proximity to a group of vultures for an extended period (approximately 10 minutes) created a significant risk of collision.
- The substantial weight of the bird involved in the impact contributed to the structural damage necessary to cause the loss of flight control.