History of the Flight
On 6 August 2004, a glider (ASK13, registration FWN) was conducting a trial lesson at Booker, Wycombe Air Park. The instructor, aged 58 with 577 hours total flying experience (85 on type), was accompanied by a student. The student had brought a camera, which he placed on the cockpit floor between his feet before strapping in. The instructor did not notice the camera and gave his standard briefing, which did not include camera procedures. During pre-flight checks, the instructor found a restriction in control movement due to the student's right leg, which was resolved by asking the student to keep his leg clear. The rudder pedals were adjusted forward out of reach.
During takeoff, the glider began to climb above its normal position behind the tug aircraft. The instructor found he could not move the control column forward, despite applying pressure. He asked the student to release the controls, but the student said he was not touching them. The tug pilot felt a progressive 'heave' and released the tow rope. The glider climbed steeply to about 100 ft, stalled, dropped its left wing, and entered a descending turn. It then struck the ground on its wheel, bounced, climbed again to 40 ft, stalled, and struck the ground almost vertically, left wing first. The instructor did not deploy the airbrakes.
The student suffered severe leg injuries; the instructor sustained chest and back injuries. The camera was later found damaged.
Glider Examination
Examination revealed that the space around the control column in the front cockpit was unguarded. A piece of black material, similar to the camera case, was found embedded in the edge of the floor in front of the control column. The camera showed dents and witness marks consistent with being jammed between the floor edge and the control column. Analysis confirmed the fragment came from the camera case. No pre-existing deficiencies were found in the airframe or flying controls.
Procedures
The British Gliding Association (BGA) Instructors Manual includes a pre-flight check for loose articles stowed correctly.