Cessna and a circling ASW 20 collide near an airfield

A Cessna on a sightseeing flight and an ASW 20 glider circling to land collided at about 420 m AGL; both were badly damaged but flew home; no one was hurt. The glider was losing height in full circles at the end of a nearly seven-hour cross-country; the Cessna pilot, three passengers aboard, had watched it over a minute and edged right to open the gap. About four seconds before impact the glider reversed its turn from right to left — to the Cessna pilot it suddenly grew. Both made late avoiding turns that did not prevent contact. Neither was in radio contact, and only the glider had a collision warning, which works only if both are equipped.

1. Two aircraft converge near a field: A sightseeing Cessna cruising and an ASW 20 glider circling down to land converged at about 420 m AGL near a special airfield, both VFR in Class E.
2. Glider in sight, no radio link: The Cessna pilot had the circling glider in view for over a minute and edged right; there was no radio contact between the two aircraft.
3. Glider reverses its circle: About four seconds before impact the glider switched from right to left circling; to the Cessna pilot it suddenly grew larger.
4. Late avoiding turns: The Cessna broke right and the glider rolled into a steep turn about two seconds before impact, but neither move prevented contact.
5. Wingtip torn, both fly home: The ASW 20 lost about 1.5 m of its right wingtip and the Cessna's left strut buckled; both stayed flyable and returned to their fields, with no injuries.