What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2018-08-02 involved a Schempp Hirth Ventus 2C, registration F-CCAC, at the col des Moucherolles, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was likely caused by a loss of altitude during a turning maneuver, potentially exacerbated by turbulence or downdrafts encountered near the ridgeline.

Glider collision with terrain in the Vercors Massif

A Schempp Hirth Ventus 2C glider crashed into a mountain ridge in France, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and serious injuries to the pilot.

What happened

On August 2, 2018, a Schempp Hirth Ventus 2C glider, registration F-CCAC, was engaged in a general aviation flight originating from the Saint-Auban airfield. After departing via winch launch, the pilot flew for over an hour at altitudes between 3,400 m and 4,200 m. Following a transition from the Alps toward the Vercors Massif, the pilot began flying north along a ridgeline.

While navigating near the Grande Moucherolle summit, the pilot initiated a right-hand turn. During this maneuver, the left wing of the glider struck the terrain, causing the aircraft to collide with the ground. The impact occurred on a steep, unstable slope, causing the glider to slide approximately 200 meters before coming to a halt on its belly. The accident resulted in one pilot seriously injured and the total destruction of the aircraft.

The investigation

The BEA examined the wreckage at the accident site, located in a scree field on the western slope of the Grande Moucherolle. Due to the instability of the terrain, a full examination of the wreckage was limited. Investigators noted that the left wing had broken into three pieces, while the right wing was torn from its root during the subsequent slide. The fuselage sustained extensive damage, including a broken tail section.

Investigators also recovered an LX 8080 flight computer, which recorded flight parameters every four seconds. A portable oxygen bottle was found with the nasal cannula deployed, and the landing gear was found in the retracted position. Meteorological data from Météo-France indicated that while visibility was good, the area was subject to unstable air masses and mountain breezes, with north-northwest winds gusting up to 20 knots.

Findings

The pilot had lost approximately 1,000 meters of altitude during the transition from the Alps to the Vercors.
While attempting to exploit thermals, the pilot performed several 360-degree turns, but was unable to regain significant altitude, remaining between 2,200 m and 2,300 m.
The pilot likely determined that the current altitude was insufficient to clear the perpendicular ridgeline and initiated a right-hand turn to avoid it.
Turbulence or downdrafts caused by the north-northwest winds and the mountainous terrain may have exacerbated the loss of altitude during the turn, leading to the wing strike.