Mid-air collision between two gliders results in one fatality near Pressath

Casualties unknown • Pressath, DE

A mid-air collision between two gliders during a competitive flight led to the fatal crash of one aircraft and the successful emergency bailout of the other pilot.

What happened

On July 30, 2001, at approximately 17:17 local time, two gliders participating in a competitive flight from Bayreuth collided at an altitude of approximately 1,400 m near Pressath. Both aircraft were flying in close formation, utilizing the same thermal updraft to gain altitude as part of a cross-country competition task.

The collision caused the Schleicher ASW 27 to lose a 2.45 m section of its left wing. This structural damage induced a rapid, high-energy spin, causing the aircraft to descend almost vertically into a wooded area. The pilot of the Schlelempp-Hirth Ventus 2a was able to exit his aircraft via an emergency bailout and landed on rescue equipment with minor injuries. His aircraft subsequently crashed into the forest, sustaining heavy damage.

Tragically, the pilot of the Schleicher ASW 27 was unable to exit the cockpit during the rapid descent. The aircraft struck the ground in a near-vertical attitude, resulting in one fatality.

Probable cause

The mid-air collision occurred because the pilots were flying in close formation without maintaining adequate visual contact, leading to an undetected convergence of their flight paths.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2001-07-30 aircraft accident near Pressath, DE?

A mid-air collision between two gliders during a competitive flight led to the fatal crash of one aircraft and the successful emergency bailout of the other pilot.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2001-07-30 involved a aircraft, at Pressath, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The mid-air collision occurred because the pilots were flying in close formation without maintaining adequate visual contact, leading to an undetected convergence of their flight paths.

Loading the flight search…

What you can do on Flight Finder

  • Search flights between any two airports with live fares.
  • By aircraft — pick a plane model (e.g. Boeing 787, Airbus A350) and see every route it flies from your origin.
  • Route map — click any airport worldwide to explore its destinations, or draw a radius to find nearby airports.
  • Global aviation safety — aviation accident database, 40,000+ records since 1980, with map and rankings by aircraft and operator.
  • NTSB safety feed — recent U.S. aviation accidents and incidents from the official NTSB CAROL database, updated daily.