Unidentified glider triggers a near miss with an A320 in controlled airspace

An unidentified glider crossed the Zürich terminal control area at about 1800 m without contacting air traffic control or squawking a transponder, and passed close to an inbound Airbus A320 holding there; there was no collision and no injury. The airliner's crew saw the glider come out of a left turn and move away, about 90 m below and 0.7 km to one side. With the glider neither on the radio nor showing on radar, the controller could not separate it from the airliner. It was never identified — every glider flight from the nearby airfields was checked, and none of the pilots could have been involved.

1. Glider transiting controlled airspace: An unidentified glider was crossing the Zürich terminal control area (class C) at about 1800 m.
2. No radio, no transponder, no radar: The glider was not in contact with air traffic control and squawked no transponder code; it did not show on the controller's radar.
3. Controller cannot separate traffic: Unable to see or contact the glider, the controller could arrange no separation from an inbound airliner.
4. A320 crew sights the glider: An Airbus A320 holding at the same level saw the glider emerge from a left turn close by and move away.
5. Near miss, ~90 m below / 0.7 km: The crew passed the glider about 90 m below and 0.7 km to one side; there was no collision and no injury.