Head-on collision: SZD Junior and Cessna 150L in Class G with low sun

An SZD-51-1 Junior from Husbands Bosworth and a Cessna 150L on a training flight collided head-on in Class G airspace south of Leicester; the glider pilot was fatally injured and the glider destroyed, while the Cessna landed at Leicester with major wingtip damage. From the glider the Cessna was directly in line with the low sun; in the Cessna the instructor was monitoring traffic to the right while the student tuned the Leicester frequency. Both saw the glider too late for effective avoidance. The Cessna's right wingtip tore the glider's left outer wing, which broke away, and the glider tumbled to the ground.

1. Aerotow — local soaring: The glider G-CLJK was aerotow-launched from Husbands Bosworth Airfield, released at about 3,700 ft, and then flew locally in smooth, generally straight flight while descending slowly.
2. Unserviceable radio: Before flight the pilot confirmed that the glider’s radio was not receiving, accepted the defect for a local flight, and therefore had no RTF communication available during the subsequent cruise.
3. Low sun visibility issues: Briefings and other pilots noted potential poor visibility when flying toward the low sun, and in-flight visibility was reported as reduced in that direction, complicating see-and-avoid for all aircraft in the area.
4. High local traffic density: Multiple light aircraft and a helicopter were operating near Husbands Bosworth and on routes to Leicester, creating a relatively high traffic density environment around the glider.
5. Converging reciprocal tracks: After turning right onto a steady heading of about 220°M at around 2,650 ft, the glider’s track placed it on a collision course with the northbound Cessna 150L at a closing speed of about 120 kt.
6. Late sighting and impact: Neither pilot saw the other aircraft in time for effective avoidance, and despite a last-moment evasive input by the Cessna, the two aircraft collided at about 2,600 ft amsl, striking the glider’s left wing.
7. Crash - fatal: Following structural failure of the left wing, the glider entered a steep, tumbling descent and impacted the ground, fatally injuring the pilot and destroying the aircraft.