What happened
On 26 August 2020, a Schleicher ASH 25 E glider, registration G-CFST, was participating in a soaring challenge along the Cotswold Ridge. The flight, which began from Aston Down Airfield, involved a pilot and one passenger. During the flight, the aircraft encountered significant sinking air, making it difficult to maintain altitude while following the ridge.
As the glider moved east of Cheltenham, the terrain rose, leaving the crew with very limited options for a safe landing. While navigating the area near Charlton Kings, the pilot attempted to deploy and start the aircraft's sustainer engine. This maneuver required a nose-down attitude to maintain sufficient airspeed for a windmill start, which increased drag and further depleted the aircraft's remaining altitude. The engine failed to ignite, and the glider subsequently struck a line of trees. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch upward and yaw before striking the ground nose-first. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, while the passenger escaped with minor injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined flight logging data, CCTV footage, and witness accounts to reconstruct the final moments of the flight. The analysis of GPS and pressure altitude data confirmed that the aircraft was flying at a very low altitude relative to the terrain. The investigation also reviewed the mechanics of the engine deployment process, noting that the procedure for the ASH 25 E is complex and inherently results in a loss of altitude.
CCTV evidence corroborated the aircraft's final maneuvers, showing the collision with the treetops. The investigation also looked into the pilot's flying experience and the club's internal policies regarding age-related flying limitations, though it could not definitively link the pilot's age to the specific decision-making errors made during this flight.