What happened
On Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at approximately 17:00, a Centrair 201 B glider, registration F-CGTN, was conducting a discovery flight near Mont Valier. The flight was part of a gliding instruction session involving an instructor and a student pilot. While the aircraft was performing a left-hand spiral maneuver within an updraft near the terrain, a vulture positioned above the glider suddenly folded its wings and dove.
The bird struck the canopy, causing the structure to fail and allowing the animal to enter the cockpit. The impact resulted in one injury to the student pilot, who was seated in the front position. The impact caused the student to lose consciousness immediately. Following the collision, the instructor verified the aircraft's continued flight capability, notified ground personnel via radio to request emergency services, and successfully navigated the glider back to the Saint-Girons aerodrome. The student remained unconscious until the aircraft landed.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight circumstances, the behavior of the bird, and the cockpit entry. Investigators noted that while the instructor had not previously witnessed such a reaction from vultures, experienced pilots operating in areas with high vulture populations, such as the Spanish border, typically avoid flying beneath these birds. The investigation also considered the biological reflex of large raptors, noting that birds may fold their wings and dive when feeling threatened or attempting to avoid an intruder.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to fly in close proximity to a group of vultures.
- A lack of awareness regarding the specific risks posed by avian hazards contributed to the event.
- The physical mechanism of the strike was driven by the bird's defensive reflex to dive when encountering the aircraft.