What happened
On May 10, 2003, at 16:22, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider, registered F-CGKQ, crashed near the locality of Petit-Mont, approximately 7 km from the Beynes aerodrome. The pilot had departed from Beynes at 13:38 for his first cross-country flight of the season, heading southwest. During the flight, near La Loupe, the pilot encountered aerological conditions that prevented further progress, prompting a decision to return to Beylos.
Shortly before the impact, another glider pilot flying at 600 feet near Thoiry observed F-CGKQ performing a spiral maneuver at a lower altitude. A ground witness reported seeing the glider flying normally at a low altitude before it suddenly pitched down into a wooded area. Following the collision, the pilot sustained injuries to his face and thorax but managed to exit the wreckage and alert emergency services from nearby residences.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the flight path and the physical state of the wreckage. Examination of the debris revealed that the right wing struck the treetops, causing it to break toward the rear, while the left wing detached from the fuselage and slid between trees.
Onboard GPS data confirmed the aircraft's trajectory, though altitude information was not recorded. However, the data showed a decrease in airspeed seconds before the signal was lost. The pilot reported experiencing amnesia regarding the period between his maneuvers near Beynes and regaining consciousness in the hospital. He stated that he did not realize his altitude had become too low to safely execute a field landing.
Findings
- The investigation established that rising air currents had become too weak to allow the pilot to reach the runway for a safe landing.
- The pilot likely made a late decision to perform a field landing in a known area.
- The crash was caused by insufficient monitoring of flight parameters, leading to a loss of control or a collision with treetops during the landing attempt.
One injury was recorded, and the aircraft was destroyed.