What happened
On July 14, 2005, at 14:31, a mid-air collision occurred between two gliders near Salbris, France. The first aircraft, a Centrair 101A Pégase with registration F-UQTG, was part of a military flight group operating from Romorantin. The second aircraft, a Rolladen Schneider LS 3 with registration OO-ZBQ, was performing a local circuit from Issoudun.
During the flight, both pilots were navigating toward a cumulus cloud near Souesmes to locate rising air currents. The pilot of the OO-ZBQ observed two other gliders circling under a cloud and decided to maneuver toward them. Simultaneously, the pilot of the F-UQTG was flying a straight path, preparing to turn right toward the same area. As the F-UQTG began its turn, the OO-ZBQ entered the flight path from the left at a 45-degree bank. The collision occurred at an altitude of approximately 1,550 meters.
Following the impact, the pilot of the OO-ZBQ noticed the loss of a portion of the right wing tip but maintained control and eventually landed safely at Issoudun. The pilot of the F-UQTG experienced the cockpit canopy shattering and sustained no fatalities, though he suffered a minor facial injury. He managed to land the aircraft at a private airfield in Souesmes.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight paths and the situational awareness of both pilots during the transition phase. Investigators examined the meteorological conditions, which were highly favorable for soaring, and the specific maneuvers performed by both aircraft as they approached the same thermal area.
Findings
- The collision was caused by insufficient visual vigilance due to both pilots focusing their attention on locating thermals and observing other gliders circling under a nearby cumulus cloud.
- During the transition phase, the pilots were preoccupied with searching for rising air, which prevented them from detecting each other's presence.