Airbus A321 and Glider Near-Collision Near Reinfeld

Casualties unknown • nahe Reinfeld, DE

An Airbus A321 on approach to Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel nearly collided with an LS 4 glider in Class E airspace due to an early descent clearance into uncontrolled traffic.

What happened

On July 23, 2019, an Airbus A321-231 operating an IFR flight from Frankfurt to Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel experienced a serious flight disturbance near Reinfeld. While descending through approximately 3,600 ft AMSL on the approach to runway 23, the airliner encountered an LS 4 glider flying under VFR rules. The aircraft passed with a lateral separation of approximately 56 meters and a vertical separation of only 46 feet. The glider, which was flying in a straight path, was overtaken by the airliner from behind and slightly below. There were no fatalities and no damage to persons or property.

The investigation

The BFU examined flight data from the Airbus FDR, radar data from air traffic services, and FLARM data from the glider. The investigation focused on the sequence of events in Class E airspace, where IFR and VFR traffic coexist. The investigation found that the air traffic controller had cleared the Airbus to descend to 3,000 ft AMSL earlier than necessary to manage frequency workload and sequence other arrivals. This clearance placed the airliner below the protected Class C airspace, where the glider was operating without a transponder. The BFU also analyzed the visual limitations of the crew, noting that the glider's position was likely obscured by the airliner's instrument panel and that the high approach speed of the Airbus made timely detection nearly impossible.

Findings

  • The primary cause was the decision to clear the Airbus to descend below protected Class C airspace into an area containing unequipped VFR traffic.
  • The Airbus was flying at approximately 225 kt IAS, making the window for visual detection and reaction extremely narrow.
  • The glider was approaching from a blind spot (behind and below) relative to the Airbus cockpit view.
  • All collision avoidance technologies, including TCAS, STCA, and radar, were ineffective because the glider was not transmitting a transponder signal.
  • The FLARM system installed in the glider is not designed to provide warnings for high-speed commercial aircraft.
  • The crew of the Airbus was heavily engaged in landing preparations, limiting their ability to maintain continuous airspace scanning.

Probable cause

The near-collision was caused by an air traffic control instruction that cleared an IFR airliner into Class E airspace below the protected Class C boundary, placing it in the same flight level as a glider that was not detectable by radar or TCAS.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2019-07-23 Airbus A321-231 accident near nahe Reinfeld, DE?

An Airbus A321 on approach to Hamburg-Fuhlsbüttel nearly collided with an LS 4 glider in Class E airspace due to an early descent clearance into uncontrolled traffic.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2019-07-23 involved a Airbus A321-231, at nahe Reinfeld, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The near-collision was caused by an air traffic control instruction that cleared an IFR airliner into Class E airspace below the protected Class C boundary, placing it in the same flight level as a glider that was not detectable by radar or TCAS.

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