What happened
On August 29, 2016, a Rolladen Schneider LS4 glider, registration F-CFZN, was conducting a flight pattern toward the northeast, departing from the Saint-Martin-de-Londres aerodrome. During the flight, the pilot experienced a sudden and significant loss of lift. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing in a nearby field.
Upon approaching the landing site, the pilot identified a flat and clear area. However, during the final approach, the pilot realized the grass height was greater than initially estimated. As the aircraft completed its landing roll, the glider underwent a nose-over (cheval de bois), resulting in heavy damage to the airframe.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the pilot's decision-making process. Meteorological data from Nîmes-Garons indicated variable winds, with gusts reaching up to 35 knots. The pilot, who had 20 total flight hours, noted that the sudden increase in northern winds along the Cévennes mountains likely created downdrafts (rabattants).
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience and the procedures at the aero club. At the time of the accident, the pilot had 17 hours of experience on this specific aircraft type, but had not flown in the 30 days preceding the event. The investigation noted that the aero club did not provide collective weather briefings, and the pilot had relied on his own assessment of the conditions before departure.