What happened
On April 24, 2008, at approximately 15:35 UTC, an Alexander Schleicher ASW 24 glider, registration F-CHMB, was performing a local flight near the Saint-Crépin airfield in France. The aircraft was being towed by a powered aircraft for a ridge soaring session.
During the climb, the tow pilot executed a left turn to reach the slope east of the airfield. At an altitude of approximately 300 meters, the glider pilot released the tow cable. Seconds after the release, the glider entered a spin, likely to the right. The aircraft's descent brought it into immediate proximity with the terrain, causing it to strike trees and the hillside at an altitude of 1,330 meters. The impact was extremely violent, resulting in the one fatality of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage and analyzed data from the aircraft's onboard Flarm and LX 4000 flight recorders. The investigation established that the landing gear was retracted and locked at the time of impact. The cockpit canopy and seat were also found to be securely locked.
Witnesses, including the tow pilot and other glider pilots in the vicinity, provided accounts of the sequence of events. The tow pilot noted that the release occurred at roughly 1,350 meters altitude. Other pilots in the area observed the F-CHMB in a spin, rotating several times before hitting the trees.
Findings
- The glider entered a spin shortly after the cable was released.
- The unidentified cause of the loss of control prevented the pilot from recovering the aircraft or initiating an emergency procedure.
- The pilot's lack of recent flight experience may have contributed to the loss of control.
- It is possible that the pilot's attention was diverted by the act of retracting the landing gear immediately after release.