What happened
On 15 August 2022, a SN CENTRAIR – 101A “PEGASE” glider, registration F-CGFF, was involved in an accident near Veynes, France. The pilot, participating in a mountain gliding course, decided to fly a solo flight after an initial plan for a dual flight was abandoned. After flying at altitudes reaching 3,000 m without supplemental oxygen, the pilot began a return flight to Aspres-sur-Buëch.
During the return, the pilot misinterpreted a navigation application display, believing a specific area near Gap-Tallard aerodrome was a restricted parachute drop zone. To avoid this area, the pilot turned west earlier than intended, placing the aircraft in a valley where no lift could be found. Realizing the flight could not be completed, the pilot initiated a late precautionary landing.
While attempting to join the landing pattern for a chosen field, the pilot lost sight of the target and executed a U-shaped approach. During the final maneuvers, the aircraft's airspeed dropped to approximately 60 km/h, which was below the stall speed for the aircraft's weight. The glider stalled, and the pilot was forced to land in a dry riverbed. The impact with small trees and the terrain resulted in severe injuries to the pilot and substantial damage to the glider.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight data from the onboard LX9000 computer, the pilot's mobile navigation application (XCSoar), and the aircraft wreckage. The investigation focused on the pilot's flight management, the lack of flight preparation, and the physiological effects of flying at high altitudes without oxygen. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's use of aeronautical charts and the specific characteristics of the landing area.