Ventus cM and Discus 2c collide head-on with no FLARM warning

Two gliders on cross-country flights collided head-on over Unteribental in the Black Forest; both pilots were uninjured. A Ventus cM and a Discus 2c converged on nearly reciprocal headings at more than 150 km/h each and closed over several kilometres with no avoiding action, colliding at about 2,450 m above sea level. The Ventus lost about 3.6 m of its right wing but stayed controllable and landed at Reiselfingen; the Discus, with lesser wingtip damage, flew on to its home field. Both pilots reported no FLARM warning: the Discus's collision-avoidance unit had non-operational firmware and could not transmit, so neither glider was alerted.

1. Two gliders on converging XC flights: A Ventus cM from Leibertingen and a Discus 2c from Farrenberg were both on cross-country flights over the Black Forest, each airborne for over two hours.
2. Nearly reciprocal head-on tracks: Their tracks converged on nearly opposite headings, each glider flying at more than 150 km/h.
3. Discus's FLARM not operational: The Discus's FLARM was running non-operational firmware; it recorded no opposing traffic and could not transmit, so it warned neither pilot.
4. No warning, no avoiding action: Neither pilot received a FLARM warning, and for the last 3 to 4 km both flew straight at each other with no avoiding reaction.
5. Head-on collision at ~2,450 m: The gliders collided at about 2,450 m; the Ventus lost about 3.6 m of its right wing and landed at Reiselfingen, the Discus took wingtip damage and flew home. Both pilots were uninjured.