What happened
On 18 June 2014, a Schleably ASW 20 L, registration G-LYSA, was performing a private flight at North Hill Airfield in Devon. During the final stages of the flight, the pilot attempted a hangar landing. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at an unusually high speed and maintaining a relatively constant low altitude along the field, which appeared too high for a standard landing within the remaining field length.
As the aircraft reached the upwind end of the field, it entered a steep right-hand turn with a bank angle estimated between 60° and 80°. During this manoeuvre, the nose dropped suddenly, and the glider impacted the ground in a steep, nose-down attitude. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the wreckage and flight data, which revealed that the aircraft's landing gear was retracted and the airbrakes were not deployed. While the pilot had been flying for many years, his experience specifically on the ASW 20 L was limited to only 11 hours.
Investigators found that the landing gear and airbrake levers in this aircraft type are similar in size, shape, and feel, with only a subtle difference in colour. The investigation also looked into the physical state of the pilot, noting that he had been active all day, including performing physically demanding glider retrieval tasks in warm temperatures. Furthermore, the examination of the control stick revealed that the composite grip had been attached to the metal tube without adhesive, which allowed it to separate from the stick during the impact.
Findings
- The pilot likely committed an error of substitution by pulling the landing gear lever instead of the airbrake lever.
- Because the airbrakes were not deployed, the glider maintained a shallow descent and excessive speed, making a normal landing impossible.
- The combination of a high bank angle and decreasing airspeed during the turn caused the aircraft to stall at an altitude too low for recovery.
- Contributing factors included the pilot's relative unfamiliarity with the specific aircraft controls, potential fatigue from a long day of flying and manual labour, and the high workload during the approach phase.
Safety action
Following the accident, the British Gliding Association (BGA) re-issued a Safety Alert to owners of similar glider models (ASW 15, ASW 19, ASW 20, and Pegase) regarding the risk of control confusion. Additionally, a recommendation was issued to ensure control column grips are fitted according to manufacturer instructions and inspected for security during daily checks.