Slingsby Swallow T45 hillside impact in severe sink — speed below ridge minimum

A Slingsby Swallow T45 struck the side of Bishop Hill near Portmoak Airfield (Kinross); the pilot was seriously injured. After a winch launch to 335 m AGL the glider approached the ridge at ~83 km/h — just below the 1.45 Vs (~85 km/h) recommended for ridge soaring. Below the summit the glider met turbulence and severe sink. An intended left turn away from the hill could not be completed; the glider struck the hillside and travelled through gorse. Investigators cited the approach speed below the ridge-soaring minimum, leaving insufficient energy to manoeuvre away in turbulent sinking air.

1. Ridge soaring flight at Bishop Hill: After a winch launch from Portmoak to 335 m AGL, the pilot headed directly to Bishop Hill, about 1 NM north, where two other gliders and a paraglider were already flying near the ridge line.
2. Low recent currency: The pilot held 114 h total and 2 h on type, with 1 h in the last 90 days and 0 h in the last 28 days.
3. Speed below ridge-soaring minimum: Approaching the hill the pilot reported airspeed of about 45 kt, below the minimum needed to keep enough excess energy to fly through strong sink or windshear without stalling.
4. Severe sink below the summit: Flying parallel to the windward ridge at an estimated ~245 m below the summit, the glider briefly climbed then hit turbulence with the variometer indicating severe sink.
5. Intended left turn away: The pilot stated an intention to make a left turn away from the hill. The pilot's next recollection is of the glider striking the hillside; the turn was not completed.
6. Hillside impact through gorse: The glider struck the side of Bishop Hill and travelled through gorse before stopping; wings and cockpit were substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured.