LS7 in-flight cardiac event; impaired flight path into field

A senior instructor (~3,349 h, no prior health issues) launched an LS7 from Talgarth on a cross-country task toward Snowdonia. Challenging: ~37 km/h N aloft, lee turbulence, degraded thermals. Four hours in, above a Manod Mawr quarry 670–520 m amsl the glider failed to climb. Below ~300 m AGL the flight path turned erratic — gear down, airbrakes partly deployed, sharp low turns toward rising terrain rather than a suitable field. Final track ~60 m AGL; field impact slight nose-down, ~10° left bank. Post-mortem found an in-flight cardiac event causing unconsciousness or sudden death before impact. Aircraft destroyed; pilot fatal.

1. Cross-country cruise: After aerotow from Talgarth, the pilot flew a cross-country task north toward Long Mynd, Denbigh and the southern Snowdonia area, thermaling and ridge-soaring en route. At ~4 hours total flight time the glider was operating in the Manod Mawr region.
2. Challenging conditions: Northerly winds ~37 km/h aloft, lee turbulence behind the hills, locally degraded thermals as sea air encroached. Cloud base ~1,200 m amsl. Some weak lee wave activity but no large convective downdraughts.
3. Low operating height: Near Manod Mawr the glider soared above a south-facing quarry slope for about 8 minutes between ~670 m and ~520 m amsl, later descending into the valley at ~215–260 m AGL.
4. In-flight cardiac event: The pilot suffered an in-flight cardiac event (post-mortem: acute coronary artery blockage) that would have rendered them unconscious or caused sudden death before ground impact. No prior health issues in medical records; family and a launch helper confirmed apparent good health pre-flight. Valid medical self-declaration.
5. Impaired flight path: After previously active soaring (last photograph taken at +3:48), the flight path turned erratic: failed climb above the quarry, low single right orbit at ~215 m AGL, SW-bound descent at ~85 m/min, then sharp turns toward rising terrain rather than selecting a suitable field — pattern not consistent with an experienced pilot in command.
6. Unstabilised low approach: Landing gear extended; airbrake selector found out of the gate and slightly aft (partly deployed). Multiple sharp turns at low altitude before impact, suggesting significant impairment.
7. Field impact - fatal: Impact in a grazing field ~5.5 km south of Blaenau Ffestiniog in a slight nose-down, ~10° left-bank attitude. Glider structurally complete pre-impact; left wing damaged on impact. Pilot found strapped in, fatally injured.