What happened
On June 23, 1998, at approximately 14:37 local time, a mid-air collision occurred near Hundseck in the Black Forest. A military Panavia Tornado (PA200) was conducting a low-altitude training mission, simulating ground attacks, when it struck a Glaser Dirks DG 10/0G glider. The Tornado, approaching from behind, struck the glider's tail unit first before severing the left wing. Following the impact, the glider pilot lost control of the aircraft, which crashed nearly vertically into a forested area. The collision resulted in one fatality (the glider pilot) and the destruction of the glider. The Tornado sustained heavy damage but was able to perform a safe emergency landing at Ramstein Air Base; the two crew members on board were uninjured.
The investigation
The BFU investigation utilized radar data from Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH, the Tornado's crash recorder, wreckage analysis, and witness statements. Investigators established that the Tornado was flying at approximately 1,900 feet AGL, following the terrain with a 26-degree left bank. The glider was flying in a similar direction at a lower altitude. The investigation focused on the closing speed and the visibility of the glider's silhouette. Calculations showed that due to the high closing speed—approximately 673 km/h (363 knots)—the time available for the Tornado crew to detect the glider was extremely limited. At a distance of 400 meters, the glider's fuselage presented a visual size of only about two milliradians, which is the threshold for human eye perception. Additionally, the Tornado was flying directly toward the sun, which may have caused glare.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was that the Tornado crew detected the glider only immediately before the impact.
- The high closing speed between the two aircraft made it highly improbable that the glider was recognizable during the approach.
- The narrow silhouette of the glider, particularly the thin profile of the wings, significantly reduced its visibility.
- The simultaneous operation of high-performance military jets and slow-moving gliders in Class E airspace contributed to the accident risk.