Mid-air collision between glider and Cessna 150 near Leicester

Casualties unknown • 4 December 2016 7.5 nm south of Leicester Airport, GB

A fatal collision occurred between a SZD-51-1 ‘Junior’ glider and a Cessna 150L during VFR flight in uncontrolled airspace.

What happened

On 4 December 2016, a SZD-51-1 ‘Junior’ glider, registration G-CLJK, and a Cessna 150L, registration G-CSFC, collided approximately 7.5 nm south of Leicester Airport. The Cessna was conducting a training flight from Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, while the glider was returning to Husbands Bosworth Airfield following an aerotow.

As the aircraft converged, the crew of the Cessna 150L noticed the glider directly ahead at the same altitude. The instructor performed an immediate evasive manoeuvre, pitching the nose down and rolling left. However, a collision occurred, causing significant damage to the right wing of the Cessna and destroying the glider. The glider entered a steep, tumbling descent, and the pilot was unable to survive the impact. The crew of the Cessna managed to land the damaged aircraft safely at Leicester Airport.

The investigation

The AAIB examined radar data, flight logs, and eyewitness accounts from several nearby aircraft. The investigation established that the collision took place in Class G airspace, where pilots are responsible for their own separation. While the Cessna was equipped with a Mode C transponder, the glider was only equipped with a FLARM system. Because these two different electronic conspicuity technologies are incompatible, the aircraft could not detect one another electronically.

Investigators also noted that the glider's radio was unserviceable, preventing the pilot from monitoring local traffic via radio calls. Furthermore, the sun's position created a significant glare for the glider pilot, potentially masking the approaching Cessna.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was that neither pilot saw the other aircraft in sufficient time to take effective avoiding action.
  • The lack of compatible electronic conspicuity aids meant the pilots relied entirely on visual lookout.
  • The low sun position likely impaired the glider pilot's ability to detect the incoming aircraft.
  • The presence of other aircraft in the vicinity may have acted as a distraction.
  • The glider's radio was not receiving, which limited the pilot's ability to maintain situational awareness through radio communications.

Probable cause

The collision occurred because the pilots failed to visually acquire each other in time to perform evasive manoeuvres, a situation exacerbated by the lack of compatible electronic conspicuity technology between the two aircraft and the presence of sun glare.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-12-04 SZD-51-1 ‘Junior’ glider and Cessna 150L accident near 4 December 2016 7.5 nm south of Leicester Airport, GB?

A fatal collision occurred between a SZD-51-1 ‘Junior’ glider and a Cessna 150L during VFR flight in uncontrolled airspace.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-12-04 involved a SZD-51-1 ‘Junior’ glider and Cessna 150L , registration G-CLJK and G-CSFC , at 4 December 2016 7.5 nm south of Leicester Airport, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision occurred because the pilots failed to visually acquire each other in time to perform evasive manoeuvres, a situation exacerbated by the lack of compatible electronic conspicuity technology between the two aircraft and the presence of sun glare.

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