What happened
On 12 June 2021, a Schleicher ASW24 glider, registration F-CGKH, was conducting a local flight near the Pont-Saint-Vincent aerodrome in France. After approximately one hour of flight, the pilot began a descent toward the aerodrome. Due to prevailing winds, the aircraft drifted left of the runway axis for runway 24.
Realizing the pilot could not join the right-hand downwind leg, a decision was made to execute a left turn to join the left-hand circuit. During this maneuver, at an altitude of approximately 150 meters, the glider stalled and entered two full spins. Although the pilot managed to recover from the spin and level the wings, the aircraft was at too low an altitude to avoid a collision with the ground in a nearby quarry. The impact resulted in severe injuries to the pilot and the destruction of the glider.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, flight control systems, and meteorological data. Investigators found no technical failures or structural anomalies in the aircraft prior to the impact; all observed damage was consistent with the ground collision. Analysis of the FLARM computer confirmed the flight path and the low altitude during the turn.
Meteorological data indicated a west-north-west wind of up to 18 knots and possible downdrafts caused by the local terrain. Additionally, the investigation identified an error in the altimeter setting, which caused the pilot to perceive the aircraft's altitude as approximately 35 meters higher than its actual height.