Glider collision with a hedge during a forced landing in adverse weather (F-CITT)

Flight and accident sequence On 19 July 2014 at 15:25 local time, a two-seat Schleicher ASK-21 glider, registration F-CITT, took off on a tow from Argenton-sur-Creuse aerodrome for the first flight of a training course. The pilot released the tow line at about 500 m near the north-western edge of the aerodrome. As rain intensified and was soon joined by hail, the pilot decided to end the flight. Unable to return to the aerodrome, the pilot attempted to land in a field ahead. With insufficient height, the glider struck a hedge and came to rest on the ground at 15:36. ## People and damage The aircraft carried a pilot and a student. The glider sustained heavy damage, including significant damage to the left wing and a bent tail beam. ## Weather and operational context Meteorological information from Châteauroux-Déols, about 30 km north, indicated marked instability at the time of the accident, with thunderstorms and heavy rain. Radar images from 15:20 to 15:40 confirmed precipitation and strong thunderstorm cores a few kilometres west of Argenton. The pilot had consulted several weather websites until 10:00 and reported seeing no alert messages. ## Investigation and reporting The BEA opened a safety investigation after learning of the event three weeks later. The gliding club had not notified the BEA, considering the event a “vache” (a field landing) rather than an accident. The BEA noted that the club was required to report accidents without delay under applicable regulations.