Glider crash near Bédarieux following wind-induced drift

Casualties unknown • FR

A Schleicher ASK 13 glider sustained heavy damage after the pilot lost control of the aircraft's position relative to the airfield during low-altitude maneuvers.

What happened

On July 27, 2014, a Schleicher ASK 13 glider, registered F-CECL, departed from the Bédarieux airfield via winch launch for a local flight. The pilot and one passenger were on board. During the flight, the pilot turned right to seek thermals in the downwind leg of the airfield circuit. During these maneuvers, the aircraft drifted significantly away from the airfield and lost altitude.

Realizing the aircraft was too low and too far from the aerodrome, the pilot attempted to fly directly toward the runway threshold. However, the glider encountered severe downdutfts and strong headwinds. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot performed an emergency landing in an orchard located ahead of the aircraft. During the impact, the right wing struck a tree, causing the glider to pivot 180 degrees before coming to a halt. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the pilot's flight path. At the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by CAVOK conditions and a temperature of 26 °C. While surface winds were estimated at 10 knots from 310°, winds at altitudes between 250 m and 500 m were significantly stronger, reaching 20 to 25 knots from 320°.

The airfield is located in the Orb valley, surrounded by hills, including a peak of 3,400 ft approximately 12 km to the northwest. The investigation noted that the area is prone to turbulence when winds exceed 25 knots. The pilot, who had 385 total flight hours, reported that he had failed to monitor the drift caused by the wind during his maneuvers. He also estimated that wind gusts from the northwest reached speeds between 60 and 70 km/h.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was the insufficient consideration of wind conditions while performing maneuvers at low altitude.
  • The pilot lost situational awareness regarding the aircraft's drift relative to the airfield circuit.
  • Strong downdrafts and high-velocity wind gusts prevented the pilot from successfully returning to the runway threshold.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from the pilot's failure to adequately account for wind drift and gusty conditions during low-altitude flight maneuvers, leading to an unrecoverable loss of position relative to the airfield.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2014-07-27 Schleicher ASK 13 accident near FR?

A Schleicher ASK 13 glider sustained heavy damage after the pilot lost control of the aircraft's position relative to the airfield during low-altitude maneuvers.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2014-07-27 involved a Schleicher ASK 13, registration F-CECL, at FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident resulted from the pilot's failure to adequately account for wind drift and gusty conditions during low-altitude flight maneuvers, leading to an unrecoverable loss of position relative to the airfield.

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