Low-level Tornado strikes DG 100 from behind in shared airspace

The pilot of a Glaser-Dirks DG 100G ELAN was fatally injured in a mid-air with a Panavia Tornado near Hundseck; Tornado crew unharmed. On a low-level training run, the Tornado overtook the glider from the right rear at high speed, destroying its tail and left wing. The DG 100 fell almost vertically into woodland. The Tornado crew did not see the glider until impact and probably could not have detected it during the approach. Both aircraft were VFR in shared Class E airspace, where fast military and slow civilian traffic mix at low altitude — cited as contributory. Severely damaged, the Tornado landed safely.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Uncontrolled vertical descent: With its empennage and a wing destroyed, the glider entered an almost vertical, uncontrolled descent toward the ground.
7. Crash - fatal: The DG 100G impacted nearly vertically in a forested area near Hundseck and was destroyed, fatally injuring the glider pilot.