Drone deliberately flown into Slingsby T.21B's approach path — cosmetic damage
A Slingsby T.21B on approach to Dunstable Airfield (Bedfordshire) was struck by a DJI Mini 2 drone at ~30 m AGL; no injuries, cosmetic damage only. The drone passed close to the passenger's head before striking the left wing leading edge; the glider landed safely. Recovered video showed the drone had been intentionally flown into the glider's approach path from Dunstable Downs. The young operators were below the 18-year minimum for the Operator ID the camera drone required; two adults accompanied them. Investigators cited deliberate operation of the drone outside regulatory limits.
- Approach to land at Dunstable: The Slingsby T.21B, a 1947 vintage open-cockpit two-seater, was on final approach to Dunstable Airfield at about 30 m AGL with a pilot and one passenger on board.
- UA outside regulatory requirements: The UA was a DJI Mini 2 flown from a public car park on Dunstable Downs; the recovered drone had no Operator ID, and its operators were later found to be under the minimum age of 18.
- UA flown onto approach path: Recovered memory-card data showed the UA had been flown intentionally along the glider's approach path, with the glider visible in its camera view in the seconds before impact.
- UA strikes wing leading edge: Several seconds after first sighting, the UA passed close to the passenger's head and struck the leading edge of the glider's left wing before falling to the ground.
- Pilot continues to normal landing: The pilot maintained control and continued the approach to a normal landing.
- Cosmetic fabric damage; no injuries: Damage to the glider was limited to superficial damage to the fabric surface of the left wing leading edge. No injuries to the glider's two occupants. Damage to the UA was not assessed.