What happened
On 6 May 2013, a Pulsar motor glider, registration G-LWNG, was conducting a private flight in North Warwickshire. Earlier that day, the pilot had completed a 4.5-hour cross-country flight in a different motor glider. Following this, the pilot departed for a return to Wing Farm at approximately 1730 hrs.
As the aircraft approached Runway 29, the pilot executed a curved left-hand approach designed to avoid nearby trees. During this maneuver, the sun was low on the horizon and positioned directly within the pilot's field of vision. After an initial unsuccessful approach due to excessive speed, a second attempt was made using full flaps. This configuration resulted in a slightly nose-high attitude. During the turn, the aircraft drifted toward a tree on the right side of the approach path, striking the upper branches. The impact caused damage to the propeller blades and the leading edges of both wings. The pilot subsequently landed the aircraft in a field adjacent to the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's configuration, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The AAIB established that the pilot was flying into the sun, which impacted visibility. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flying history, noting that while the pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 1,000 total flying hours, there had been no hours flown in this specific aircraft type in the 90 days preceding the event.
Findings
- The aircraft's nose-high attitude, caused by the use of full flaps, combined with the left-hand bank, obscured the pilot's view of the tree on the right.
- A crosswind caused the aircraft to drift toward the obstacle.
- The pilot's decision to land into the sun and the effects of fatigue were identified as contributing factors.