Nimbus 2C catches railway wires stretching in with no height reserve

An experienced pilot pressed on to Montricher with no height reserve after heavy sink and hit a railway catenary trying to hop the wires; the Nimbus 2C pivoted onto the road, substantially damaged, and the pilot was slightly hurt. Returning from a cross-country with ample height, he was drawn low by a large sink area; though good fields lay below, he judged he had just enough to reach runway 21 direct — but no reserve — and flew on. More sink near the line left him unable to clear it and too late to land out, so he dived for speed and pulled up to jump the wires. Cause: crossing an obstacle without enough height reserve.

1. Cross-country return: After a training cross-country flight toward the Jura, the pilot turned back near La Chaux-de-Fonds due to deteriorating weather and headed for Montricher with little height reserve.
2. Prolonged sink encountered: Following the eastern slopes of the Jura on the return leg, the glider flew through a large area of sinking air, dropping to about 1,200 m AMSL near Romainmôtier.
3. Low height margin: At L'Isle, about 3 km from Montricher, the pilot judged he had just enough altitude to reach runway 21 directly, with no reserve for a normal circuit and approach.
4. Continued direct low approach: Despite the minimal height margin and suitable fields below, the pilot continued a straight-in, downwind approach to runway 21 instead of committing to an outlanding.
5. Attempt to clear railway: Approaching the Bière–Apples–Morges railway and realising he could not clear it with his remaining height, the pilot dived for speed and pulled up to jump the overhead wires.
6. Impact with catenary: During the pull-up maneuver the glider’s left wing struck the railway catenary, causing the aircraft to pivot about a quarter turn to the left and lose control.
7. Crash - minor injury: The glider crashed onto the road alongside the railway, sustaining severe damage and causing major damage to the railway installations, while the pilot received only minor injuries.