Midair collision between two gliders near Issoire Le Broc

Casualties unknown • Parentignat, FR

Two gliders collided while utilizing an uplift near Parentignat, resulting in minor damage to both aircraft and a missing winglet on one.

What happened

On 2 thick 27 May 2020, a midair collision occurred between two gliders operating near the Issoire Le Broc aerodrome in the Puy de Dôme region. The first aircraft, a CENTRAIR SNC34C Alliance registered F-CJBH, was conducting a training flight with an instructor and a trainee on board. The second aircraft, a Sportine Aviacija LAK19 registered F-CHNP, was being operated by a single pilot.

While utilizing a favorable thermal uplift, the instructor in the F-CJBH invited the pilot of the F-CHNP to join the climb. As the F-CHNP entered the uplift and began performing left-hand spirals, its flight path began to converge with the higher-altitude aircraft. The instructor in the F-CJBH attempted an emergency maneuver to the right to avoid the approaching glider, but the paths crossed. During the encounter, the right wingtip of the F-CHNP struck the underside of the F-CJBH fuselage, causing a small tear in the fuselage skin and shearing off the winglet of the F-CHNP. Both aircraft remained controllable and landed safely at Issoire Le Broc.

The investigation

The BEA examined flight data from the FLARM collision avoidance systems and analyzed statements from both pilots. The investigation focused on the flight dynamics within the thermal, specifically how the two aircraft reached a converging path. The investigators also reviewed the flight experience of both pilots, noting the instructor on the F-CJBH had over 4,500 flight hours, while the pilot of the F-CHNP had 1,200 hours.

Findings

  • The pilot of the F-CHNP was flying at a higher speed and benefiting from superior flight characteristics, which allowed the aircraft to catch up to the F-CJBH both vertically and horizontally.
  • Although the FLARM system provided a visual indication of the other aircraft, the pilot of the F-CHNP failed to recognize the closing distance in time to adjust the bank angle.
  • The instructor in the F-CJBH did not detect the approaching aircraft early enough to execute an effective avoidance maneuver.
  • The primary cause of the collision was the lack of vigilance and anticipation by the pilot of the F-CHNP.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by the pilot of the LAK19 failing to maintain adequate separation while entering a thermal, leading to a converging flight path with the higher-altitude aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2020-05-27 aircraft accident near Parentignat, FR?

Two gliders collided while utilizing an uplift near Parentignat, resulting in minor damage to both aircraft and a missing winglet on one.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2020-05-27 involved a aircraft, registration F-CJBH, at Parentignat, FR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by the pilot of the LAK19 failing to maintain adequate separation while entering a thermal, leading to a converging flight path with the higher-altitude aircraft.

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