Mid-air collision between a Cessna F182P and a Schempp-Hirth Ventus CT near Oberreichenbach

Overview and Aircraft Details On 17 August 2002, a mid-air collision occurred near Oberreichenbach involving a Reims Aviation Cessna F182P and a Schempp-Hirth Ventus CT motor glider. The Cessna, a 1976 model with serial number 0012, was operating a parachute drop flight with the pilot and four jumpers aboard. The motor glider, a 1989 model with serial number 138, was on a private flight. The Cessna pilot was a 44-year-old private pilot with approximately 340 total flight hours, while the motor glider pilot was a 30-year-old private pilot with approximately 215 total flight hours. ## Flight Sequence and Collision The motor glider pilot launched from Bartholomä-Amalienhof airfield at 12:25 local time using a winch. The Cessna departed Calw-Muckberg airfield at 14:48 local time. At 14:51:13, the Cessna pilot contacted Stuttgart air traffic control and received clearance to climb to Flight Level 115. Radar data indicated the Cessna flew west before turning north at 14:56, and then turned east onto its intended drop course three minutes later. At 15:08:18, the Cessna pilot announced that the parachute drop would begin in one minute. After receiving traffic information and clearance, the pilot reported the drop was complete at 15:10:09. The pilot was then cleared to descend and instructed to report reaching 5,000 feet MSL. During the descent, the Cessna initially flew northwest before turning east over its left wing. The pilot reported seeing the motor glider suddenly approaching from the 2-to-3 o'clock position while on a heading of approximately 120 degrees. An attempt to evade downward failed, resulting in a collision. The last radar contact for the Cessna was recorded at 15:13:58 at 4,800 feet MSL. ## Post-Collision Events and Findings Following the collision, the Cessna became uncontrollable, and the pilot successfully ejected with a parachute, remaining uninjured. The motor glider pilot, who was also wearing a rescue parachute, did not leave the aircraft and was killed due to the impact forces. Witnesses reported seeing the motor glider in a steep, spinning descent below a cumulus cloud and the Cessna pilot hanging from an open parachute. Both aircraft crashed into a wooded area approximately 800 meters apart. ## Investigation and Conclusions The investigation found that both aircraft were airworthy and properly licensed. The Cessna pilot was not wearing his required corrective glasses at the time of the accident, but the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA) determined this did not affect his distance vision and was not causally relevant to the collision. Wreckage distribution indicated the initial contact likely occurred between the motor glider's fuselage and the Cessna's right wing. No technical defects were found on either aircraft. The accident was attributed to the pilots of both aircraft failing to see each other or seeing each other too late. Both aircraft were operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in controlled airspace (Class E), where air traffic control does not provide separation for VFR flights.