AAIB Report: Ventus-2CT, G-KADS and E1 Antares, G-CLXG, on 17 August 2023
Report into a fatal accident involving two gliders which collided during a competition flight near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, 17 August 2023
Flightpaths of G-KADS and G-CLXG in a thermal prior to the collision © 2022 SeeYou software by Naviter
During a gliding competition flight, both gliders entered a thermal just to the south of Melton Mowbray at a similar height. Although the gliders were initially on opposite sides of the thermal, changes in the angle of bank of both gliders brought their flight paths into conflict and they collided.
The pilot of G-CLXG was able to land the glider safely and was uninjured but the tail of G-KADS was severed in the collision and the glider descended out of control. The pilot was fatally injured.
The British Gliding Association (BGA) took action to raise awareness regarding the increased risk of midair collisions in gliding competitions.