Mid-air collision avoidance maneuver near Ugerløse

Casualties unknown • Ugerløse, DK

A flight student in a Tecnam P2002 P-Mentor performed an emergency maneuver to avoid a glider after a near-collision occurred south of Ugerløse.

What happened

On July 24, 2024, at 12:09 UTC, a near-collision occurred between two aircraft south of Ugerløse, Denmark. A student pilot was conducting a solo VFR navigation flight in a Tecnam P2002 P-Mentor, registration OY-FFF, departing from Roskilde. During the flight, the student pilot climbed to 2,300 feet and received multiple advisories from Copenhagen Information regarding glider activity in the area.

Simultaneously, a DG Aviation GmbH DG-800B glider, registration OY-XUS, was operating from Slaglille. While the glider pilot had activated a Flarm device to receive position information from other gliders, the transponder remained inactive to conserve battery life.

As the Tecnam P2002 P-Mentor proceeded north, the student pilot identified the DG Aviation GmbH DG-800B on a converging course at the same altitude. The student pilot executed a 90-degree left turn to avoid the aircraft, resulting in a minimum horizontal separation of approximately 25 meters. The glider pilot did not visually acquire the powered aircraft until the sound of the engine was audible and the underside of the Tecnam P2002 P-Mentor became visible, leaving insufficient time for an evasive maneuver.

The investigation

The Danish Accident Investigation Board examined radio communications from both Copenhagen Information and Roskilde Approach, as well as flight data from the primary flight display of OY-FFF and the variometer of OY-XUS. The investigation reviewed air traffic regulations regarding right-of-way and transponder usage, as well as the VFR flight guide requirements for secondary surveillance radar.

Findings

  • The student pilot in OY-FFF was aware of glider activity due to verbal warnings from air traffic services.
  • The pilot of OY-XUS did not activate the transponder, which is typically required to be active during flight unless power constraints exist.
  • The DG Aviation GmbH DG-800B was on a converging course with the powered aircraft.
  • The glider pilot failed to maintain adequate visual lookout, only noticing the powered aircraft when it was too late to maneuver.
  • The minimum separation between the two aircraft was approximately 25 meters.

Probable cause

The near-collision was caused by a converging flight path between a powered aircraft and a glider, compounded by the glider pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and the non-activation of the glider's transponder.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2024-07-24 aircraft accident near Ugerløse, DK?

A flight student in a Tecnam P2002 P-Mentor performed an emergency maneuver to avoid a glider after a near-collision occurred south of Ugerløse.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2024-07-24 involved a aircraft, registration OY-FFF, at Ugerløse, DK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The near-collision was caused by a converging flight path between a powered aircraft and a glider, compounded by the glider pilot's failure to maintain adequate visual lookout and the non-activation of the glider's transponder.

Loading the flight search…