Glider collision with trees during approach at Seighford Airfield

Casualties unknown • Seighford Airfield, Staffordshire, GB

A solo winch-launched flight in a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 ended in a tree collision after the pilot attempted an orbit to correct a high approach.

What happened

On 5 September 2021, a solo flight involving a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18, registration G-CJNB, resulted in an accident at Seighford Airfield, Staffordshire. Following a successful winch launch, the pilot began flying circuits. During the approach, the pilot perceived the glider was too high to land safely on the airfield and attempted to execute a left-hand orbit to lose altitude.

However, the aircraft did not have sufficient height to complete the maneuver. As the glider turned, it struck trees in a field adjacent to the airfield. The impact caused the aircraft to cartwheel across the field, eventually coming to rest inverted. The pilot sustained serious injuries to her lower legs and multiple broken bones, requiring medical evacuation to a hospital.

The investigation

Investigators examined the wreckage and found extensive damage to the fuselage and wings, consistent with a collision with trees and subsequent ground contact. The right wing showed impact marks from tree branches, while the left wingtip had been torn from its fitting. Flight data from a Naviter Oudie logger and a FLARM system confirmed that the aircraft was at approximately 130 ft when the turn began and that the ground speed had reduced to 40 kt just prior to the maneuver.

Data also revealed that the airbrakes had been retracted during the turn. The pilot's flight history showed she had recently completed a check flight in a different glider type, but was relatively new to the specific performance characteristics of G-CJNB.

Findings

  • The pilot's approach was higher than normal, likely due to perceptual errors influenced by previous experience flying lower-performance gliders and operating at different airfield environments.
  • The decision to perform an orbit was made in a time-limited, stressful situation, where the pilot likely accepted the first available solution rather than evaluating alternatives, such as continuing straight to land beyond the airfield.
  • There was insufficient altitude to safely complete the intended turning maneuver without encountering obstacles.

Probable cause

The pilot's previous experience with different aircraft and airfield layouts likely skewed her perception of the glide angle, leading to a high approach; the subsequent decision to attempt an orbit to correct this height resulted in a collision with trees due to insufficient altitude.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2021-09-05 Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 accident near Seighford Airfield, Staffordshire, GB?

A solo winch-launched flight in a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 ended in a tree collision after the pilot attempted an orbit to correct a high approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2021-09-05 involved a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-18 , registration G-CJNB, at Seighford Airfield, Staffordshire, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's previous experience with different aircraft and airfield layouts likely skewed her perception of the glide angle, leading to a high approach; the subsequent decision to attempt an orbit to correct this height resulted in a collision with trees due to insufficient altitude.

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