Accident
On 27 July 2019 at 1130 UTC, a Standard Cirrus 75 glider, registration G-DDGX, was involved in an accident at Gwernesney Airfield, Monmouthshire, during a private flight. The glider was undertaking an aerotow launch to the west. During the early stages of the ground roll, the horizontal tailplane detached from the glider and fell to the ground. Club members assisting with the launch signalled for the takeoff to be aborted, but the message did not reach the aerotow tug pilot; the accident pilot did not appear to hear or see the stop signals either. The glider became airborne and climbed rapidly, then the tow cable released and the aircraft’s nose dropped. The glider descended steeply and struck the ground nose-first, coming to rest inverted pointing east. The pilot was extricated and airlifted to hospital, where he died five days later from complications related to injuries sustained in the accident.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 54, held a British Gliding Association (BGA) Certificate with a B Badge Endorsement. His total flying hours were not determined, but he had completed 182 flights totalling 41 hours since August 2015, of which 2 hours and 20 minutes were on type. In the last 90 days he flew 3 hours and 42 minutes; in the last 28 days, 1 hour and 38 minutes.
Aircraft Information
G-DDGX was a Standard Cirrus 75, a single-seat standard class glider with a 15 m wingspan, manufactured in 1975 (serial number 619). It was of glass fibre composite construction with a retractable mainwheel, a single towing hook, and an all-moving tailplane mounted on top of the fin. The aircraft was not equipped with a radio. It was jointly owned by two syndicate members; the accident pilot had been a member for two months.
Investigation
Onsite examination revealed that the tailplane had come to rest near the launch point, approximately 237 m from the main wreckage. Although the tailplane safety pin was installed, the tailplane locking lever was forward of the safety pin, rather than in the normal aft position. The investigation determined that the tailplane had not been correctly attached when the glider was rigged, and this condition was not detected prior to the flight. Several possible mis-rigging scenarios were identified, but the precise manner could not be determined.
Two Safety Recommendations were made relating to communication for glider launching and detecting incorrect alignment of tailplane locking features. The gliding club also undertook safety actions regarding launch signalling and detection of incorrect tailplane locking on other Standard Cirrus gliders.
Meteorological and Airfield Information
At the time of the accident, good weather prevailed with a light north-north-westerly breeze. Gwernesney Airfield is situated on flat ground east of the Usk Valley, aligned broadly east-west, bordered to the north by a tree-lined stream. Due to trees in the overshoot, westerly aerotow launches often require a left turn after takeoff. The airfield sits within Class G airspace.