What happened
On July 10, 2004, a Schempp Hirth Cirrus glider, registration F-CEVA, departed from Le Mans airfield for a local triangular circuit flight. After being released at 700 meters, the pilot utilized thermal lift to reach an altitude of 1,300 meters. However, as the flight progressed north, the lift dissipated. At approximately 16:26, the pilot decided to turn back toward the airfield.
Following the loss of lift, the glider entered a continuous descent. For twenty-two minutes, the aircraft spiraled while losing altitude. By 16:50, the glider was at an altitude of approximately 100 meters, heading east. The aircraft struck a hedge in a field at the 'Le Guinier' location, near Sargé-lès-le-Mans. Witnesses reported seeing the glider perform a small left turn before pitching down. The impact occurred with the aircraft in a left turn, at a 45-degree nose-down angle, and with minimal bank.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path reconstructed from the flight recorder and the physical examination of the wreckage. The wreckage was found in a field of tall grass, with the right wing having struck bushes in a hedge. Investigators noted that the right airbrake was extended and the landing gear was down at the time of impact. The wreckage showed a broken rear fuselage and a rudder that had separated from the vertical stabilizer.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's training records. While the pilot was an experienced airplane pilot, they had only recently resumed glider flying in 2000. At the time of the accident, the pilot was undergoing training for cross-country flight, having only recently begun instruction for such maneuvers in July 2004. Crucially, the pilot had not yet received specific instruction for field landings.
Findings
- The pilot was attempting a field landing but failed to manage the situation effectively.
- The pilot demonstrated an obstinacy to continue the flight despite the loss of lift.
- The pilot experienced significant stress when faced with an uncontrolled situation during the final phase of the flight.
- The pilot lacked the necessary training for executing field landings safely.