Mid-air collision between two gliders at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield

Casualties unknown • Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, Northamptonshire, GB

A mid-air collision between two gliders during a competition resulted in one fatality and one serious injury after the aircraft failed to detect each other on final approach.

What happened

On 25 May 2024, two gliders participating in a local club competition collided while approaching Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield in Northamptonshire. The aircraft involved were a Schempp-Hirth Discus B, registration G-DJMD, and a Schemps-Hirth Standard Cirrus, registration G-DCTB.

After completing their respective competition tasks, both gliders transitioned to the landing phase. The pilot of G-DCTB performed a maneuver that placed the aircraft on a converging path with G-DJMD. The two gliders collided approximately 20 to 30 feet above the ground at the intersection of the airfield's runways. The impact caused the canopy of G-DJMD to fracture and the aircraft to roll into an inverted position before striking the ground. The pilot of G-DJMD sustained fatal injuries, while the pilot of G-DCTB sustained serious injuries.

The investigation

The AAIB investigation examined the flight paths, radio communications, and aircraft structures. Data from FLARM collision warning systems showed the aircraft were on converging tracks, with G-DCTB traveling 15 kph faster than G-DJMD. Examination of the wreckage confirmed that the right wingtip of G-DCTB struck the canopy of G-DJMD, and forensic analysis of the wingtip skin identified the presence of blood from the pilot of G-DJMD.

Investigators reviewed the airfield's radio procedures and found that while the station was licensed to provide an Air Ground Communication Service (AGCS), a formal service was not being effectively provided. Witnesses reported poor radio discipline, including weak signals, overlapping transmissions, and a lack of standard position reports. Furthermore, the investigation found that the pilots did not hold Flight Radiotelephony Operator Licences (FRTOL), which would have been required if they were communicating with an approved AGCS.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the collision was that the pilots did not effectively communicate their location or intentions on the radio, rendering the see-and-avoid principle insufficient to prevent the collision.
  • The pilots were operating during a high-workload phase of flight, focusing on landing procedures rather than active radio reporting.
  • The airfield's radio communications were characterized by inconsistent transmissions and a lack of standardized procedures.
  • The airfield's AGCS was not being operated in compliance with its approved standards, meaning a qualified operator was not providing the necessary traffic information to assist pilots.

Probable cause

The collision occurred because the pilots failed to use the radio to announce their positions, preventing each other from detecting the conflict. This was compounded by a lack of standardized communication and the absence of an active air traffic service at the airfield.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-05-25 Discus B / Standard Cirrus accident near Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, Northamptonshire, GB?

A mid-air collision between two gliders during a competition resulted in one fatality and one serious injury after the aircraft failed to detect each other on final approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-05-25 involved a Discus B / Standard Cirrus, registration G-DJMD / G-DCTB, at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, Northamptonshire, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred because the pilots failed to use the radio to announce their positions, preventing each other from detecting the conflict. This was compounded by a lack of standardized communication and the absence of an active air traffic service at the airfield.

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