What happened
On July 29, 2004, a Glaser Dirks DG 300 glider, registered F-CIGA, was conducting a local flight in the mountains of southeastern France. The pilot had departed from a private airfield in Seyne via winch launch as part of a mountain flying course. During the flight, the pilot found himself unable to clear the Morgon ridge near the Crots ultralight airfield.
After failing to reach an instructor via radio, the pilot consulted the club president, who suggested diverting to Barcelonnette via the Ubaye valley if altitude could not be maintained. Relying on the glider's high glide ratio and favorable local meteorology, the pilot attempted to navigate around the terrain. However, while attempting to find lift near a developing cumulus cloud, the pilot encountered strong sink rates.
As the descent rate increased to between two and three meters per second, the pilot realized that reaching Barcelonnette was no longer possible. Approximately eight kilometers from the airfield and at an altitude of roughly 300 meters, the pilot opted for an emergency landing in a field near La Fresquière. While attempting the approach down a slope and maneuvering to avoid power lines, the pilot was unable to flare sufficiently for the steep terrain, resulting in a collision with trees that caused heavy damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process regarding navigation and the technical execution of the field landing. Investigators examined the pilot's flight path, the meteorological conditions at the time, and the communication between the pilot and the club president. The analysis also reviewed the pilot's experience level and the specific terrain challenges encountered during the descent in the Ubaye valley.