Racing glider strikes a spectator on a low race finish

A spectator was struck and fatally injured by the left wing of a glider finishing a race very low, about 5 m above the ground. Competitors on the final glide of a junior world championship were crossing fields outside the airfield very low to trade height for speed. The accident glider popped up to clear a hedge and banked about 20° left; its left wing hit a professional photographer standing on a parked car, whom the pilot — attention on a larger group, against a low sun — had not seen. The glider then landed out of control in a crop field, seriously damaged; the pilot was unhurt.

1. Low competition finish: During a junior world championship task, the glider was on a very low, fast final glide toward the finish line.
2. Racing very low to gain speed: Competitors were crossing fields outside the airfield in ground effect to trade height for speed.
3. Spectators beneath the flight path: Spectators, including a photographer, stood on parked cars under the approach, partly screened by a hedge.
4. Pop-up and left bank over a hedge: The glider popped up to clear the hedge at about 5 m and banked around 20° to the left.
5. Left wing strikes the photographer: The lowered left wing struck a photographer about two-thirds out toward the tip; the photographer fell and was fatally injured.
6. Glider slews and climbs: The glider slewed left and climbed to about 30 m, then pitched down and accelerated out of control.
7. Uncontrolled landing: It made a largely uncontrolled landing in a crop field and was seriously damaged; the pilot was unhurt.