El Slingsby Vega choca con árboles tras un final de competición demasiado lento y bajo

Un piloto intentaba un «final de competición» de práctica — pasada rápida y luego recurso hacia el circuito — demasiado lento y bajo; no pudo remontar y se estrelló a través de los árboles en un campo, gravemente herido, planeador destruido. De vuelta de un vuelo de campo, cruzó la pista bajo 100 ft a solo 48 kt, un viento en cola de 7 kt dando una velocidad respecto al suelo engañosa. En vez de aterrizar normalmente más adelante, tiró y viró a la izquierda; el viento en cola lo llevó a sotavento de dos hileras de árboles, y por falta de energía descendió bajo la copa. Las alas se arrancaron en las ramas, el fuselaje se invirtió.

1. Cross-country return: After a winch launch and cross-country task, the pilot abandoned the planned route near Cambridge and returned direct towards Wormingford Airfield.
2. Low-energy finish attempt: The pilot attempted a practice competition finish by crossing the runway at less than 100 feet agl and pulling up for a turn without sufficient speed or height.
3. Tailwind and low speed: A tailwind on final gave a misleadingly high groundspeed while the actual airspeed on approach was about 48 kt, below a sensible approach speed for the glider.
4. Climb and turn attempt: Instead of aborting and landing further up the airfield, the pilot pulled up and turned left to position for the usual final turn, allowing the tailwind to carry the glider downwind of two tree lines.
5. Descent below treeline: With inadequate kinetic and potential energy, the glider failed to gain sufficient height in the turn, descended below the tree line, and could not climb over the trees.
6. Impact and breakup: The glider struck the upper branches of the trees, the wings were forced aft and separated from the fuselage, and the inverted fuselage continued into a crop field.
7. Crash - serious injury: During the impacts the pilot’s harness buckle failed, he was released from the restraint, sustained serious injuries, and the glider was destroyed.