Fatal glider crash during landing attempt at Bretagne d'Armagnac

Casualties unknown • FR

A single-engine glider crashed at a private airfield in France, resulting in the death of the pilot following a loss of control during a landing approach.

What happened

On July 8, 1997, a Schleicher ASW 24 glider, registration F-CHMA, departed from the Nogaro airfield at 12:44 UTC for a flight intended to include Cahors. The aircraft was towed to an altitude of approximately 600 meters. After navigating through various thermals and reaching altitudes near 3,900 feet, the pilot requested landing instructions for the Bretagne d'Armagnac airfield at approximately 13:15 UTC.

During the approach, the pilot attempted to intercept the runway. However, the aircraft's trajectory ended in a crash within the airfield perimeter. The impact was characterized by a steep descent at low horizontal speed, leading to the destruction of the aircraft and the death of the pilot.

Probable cause

The pilot lost control of the glider while attempting to align the aircraft with the runway during a low-altitude, low-speed approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1997-07-08 ASW 24 accident near FR?

A single-engine glider crashed at a private airfield in France, resulting in the death of the pilot following a loss of control during a landing approach.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1997-07-08 involved a ASW 24, registration F-CHMA, at FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot lost control of the glider while attempting to align the aircraft with the runway during a low-altitude, low-speed approach.

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