DG 100 and Tornado collision near Hundseck results in fatality
On June 23, 1998, a mid-air collision occurred near Hundseck, Germany, involving a Glaser Dirks DG 100 glider and a Panavia MRCA Tornado fighter jet. The incident resulted in the destruction of the glider and the death of its pilot. The Tornado sustained severe damage but was able to land safely at Ramstein Air Base, with its crew unharmed. The collision happened as both aircraft were flying in airspace where military and civilian flights were permitted. The investigation highlighted that the Tornado crew did not see the glider until it was too late to avoid the collision.
- Local soaring flight: The DG 100G launched from Baden-Baden/Oos at 1326 for a private local soaring flight with other gliders and proceeded to cruise in the local area.
- Shared mixed airspace: Both the glider and the Tornado were operating under VFR in lower-level Class E airspace where slow civilian gliders and fast military jets are permitted simultaneously.
- High-speed Tornado approach: The Tornado crew conducted a low-level tactical training flight following terrain and visual landmarks, entering the Bühlertal area at high speed while searching ahead for the next landmark.
- Late glider detection: The Tornado crew only noticed the glider directly ahead of them immediately before impact, leaving no time or space to avoid a collision.
- Tail and wing destroyed: The Tornado struck the DG 100G from behind, first destroying its tailplane and then its left wing, causing an immediate loss of controllability for the glider.
- Uncontrolled vertical descent: With its empennage and a wing destroyed, the glider entered an almost vertical, uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
- Crash - fatal: The DG 100G impacted nearly vertically in a forested area near Hundseck and was destroyed, fatally injuring the glider pilot.