What happened
On the morning of March 8, 2024, an instructor and a student pilot departed Fayence aerodrome in a Schleicher ASK13, registration F-CEAV, for a planned slope soaring flight. The flight was part of a regional glider training course, and the crew intended to utilize the terrain of the Camp de Canjuers plateau.
During the flight, the crew encountered unexpected meteorological conditions. While attempting to find better lift, the glider began to descend rapidly at a rate of approximately -2.8 m/s. Realizing they could no longer return to the home aerodrome, the instructor took control and began searching for a suitable area for an off-field landing. While performing a turn to approach a chosen field, the glider's right wing struck a medium-voltage power line. The impact caused a hard landing, resulting in two serious injuries and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA investigation focused on the flight path, the meteorological environment, and the crew's decision-making. Investigators analyzed data from the glider's FLARM and reviewed the pilot's experience and the club's briefing procedures. The investigation examined the specific aerological challenges posed by the strong easterly winds and the lack of familiarity with the local sink conditions in that specific wind direction. The investigators also looked into the availability of known landing fields in the area and the lack of energy-absorbing equipment on board.
Findings
- The instructor's lack of specific knowledge regarding local aerological phenomena under strong easterly wind conditions contributed to the aircraft exiting the safe local area.
- The instructor's decision to execute the off-field landing pattern at a low altitude contributed to the collision with the power line.
- The instructor felt pressure to complete the flight as it was the final day of the training course and a storm was approaching.
- The crew was not equipped with energy-absorbing cushions, which could have mitigated the physical impact of the landing.