What happened
On 5 June 2024, a pilot was conducting a private endurance flight in a Mini Nimbus C, registration G-CFHG, near Barlavington, Sussex. The flight was intended to meet the requirements for a BGA Silver badge. After successfully gaining altitude in two separate thermals during the early stages of the flight, the pilot turned back towards the airfield.
As the glider descended through the altitude at which BGA guidance recommends initiating a field landing, the pilot continued to search for lift. At a low altitude, the pilot attempted to orbit in a thermal. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft experienced two distinct loss of control events, both consistent with a stall and wing drop. Although the pilot appeared to recover controlled flight after the first incident, the glider lost significant altitude. During a subsequent manoeuvre, the aircraft struck the tops of trees, causing the right wing to detach and the fuselage to impact the ground with great force. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
The AAIB examined flight data recovered from three onboard devices, which provided information on altitude, pitch, roll, and airspeed. The data confirmed a dynamic event where the aircraft experienced a significant drop in altitude and a sharp increase in airspeed, characteristic of a stall recovery. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training records, which showed appropriate qualifications and recent stall and spin training.
Investigators also looked into the pilot's medical history, noting the use of medication for hypertension. While a medical event could not be entirely ruled out as a potential distraction, there was no definitive evidence of an acute episode. Additionally, the investigation reviewed the pilot's previous flight experience, noting a similar field landing in the same area a few weeks prior that had been completed at a late stage.
Findings
- The pilot failed to initiate a field landing at an appropriate height, despite passing through the recommended decision-making altitude.
- The pilot's focus on finding thermals at low altitude likely acted as a distraction from the need to commit to a landing.
- The aircraft experienced a loss of control consistent with a stall during a low-level turn.
- The pilot was unable to maintain sufficient altitude to clear the treetops following the second upset event.