What happened
On July 19, 2014, a Schleicher ASK-21 glider, registration F-CITT, was performing a training flight at the Argenton-sur-Creuse airfield. The flight, involving a pilot and a student, began with a winch launch at 15:25. Shortly after releasing the cable at an altitude of approximately 500 meters, the aircraft encountered rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
As the flight progressed, heavy rain intensified and transitioned into significant hail. The pilot, unable to return to the airfield due to the worsening visibility and precipitation, attempted an emergency landing in a nearby field. During the descent, the aircraft struck a hedge, resulting in the glider coming to a halt on the ground at 15:36. The aircraft sustained heavy damage to the left wing and the tail boom.
The investigation
The BEA investigation examined meteorological data, flight tracking information, and testimonies from the crew and other pilots on site. Radar imagery confirmed the presence of intense convective cells and heavy precipitation in the area of Argenton at the time of the occurrence.
Flight data from the onboard FLARM device revealed that the cable was released at 15:32, and the aircraft followed an "S" shaped trajectory in an attempt to find better flying conditions before the final descent rate reached -10 m/s. The investigation also noted that the local aero club had not initially notified the BEA, as the event was initially categorized as a "vache" (a common gliding term for a controlled field landing) rather than an accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to continue flight operations despite meteorological conditions that were incompatible with safe gliding.
- A sudden and intense storm, characterized by heavy rain and hail, significantly reduced visibility and impacted the pilot's ability to reach the airfield.
- The pilot's attempt to find better conditions led to a flight path that ultimately resulted in the collision with the hedge.