What happened
On August 6, 2015, a Rolladen Schneider LS4 glider, registration F-CODE, was participating in the fifth stage of the "Grand Ouest" interregional competition. The flight began at 12:44 from the Fontenay-Le Comte airfield. During the competition task, the pilot reached an altitude of approximately 930 meters but determined that reaching the next turning point was not feasible.
After initially attempting to divert to the Cholet-Le Pontreau airfield, the pilot realized that reaching that destination was also unlikely and decided to perform an off-field landing. The pilot initially selected a field but had to abruptly change the landing site after late detection of power lines. At 16:10, with the landing gear and airbrakes extended, the glider touched down in a field characterized by lateral slope. This caused the aircraft to undergo a violent ground loop.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's decision-making process, the meteorological conditions, and the physical evidence at the crash site. Investigators noted that the pilot, who had 660 total flight hours, had been involved in a previous off-field landing during the third stage of the same competition.
Examination of the wreckage revealed significant damage to the forward fuselage, which was nearly detached from the main cell. A depression in the ground near the aircraft suggested a significant nose-down impact attitude. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's selection process for the landing zone, noting that the presence of a lateral slope in the chosen field was not identified prior to touchdown.