Ventus CT and Jantar collide head-on between thermals

Two competing gliders — a Ventus CT and a PZL-Bielsko SZD 48-3 Jantar — collided head-on; both pilots bailed out, one seriously injured, and both gliders were destroyed. On a competition cross-country from Greiz-Obergrochlitz, the two climbed in separate thermals then, gliding on, converged from 2 km on a constant collision bearing above 1 200 m MSL. In good visibility the southbound Ventus and northbound Jantar met head-on. Both parachuted clear; the Ventus pilot was seriously hurt escaping the rotating wreck.

1. Competition cross-country: Two gliders launched by aerotow from a competition at Greiz-Obergrochlitz and set off on a cross-country task.
2. Converging on a steady bearing: After climbing in separate thermals, the southbound Ventus and northbound Jantar closed from about 2 km on a constant collision bearing above 1 200 m MSL.
3. Neither saw the other: In good visibility neither pilot acquired the other in time; a constant-bearing target shows no relative movement and stays small until close.
4. Head-on collision: The two gliders met head-on at about 13:58.
5. Both bailed out: Both pilots jettisoned canopies and parachuted clear; the Ventus pilot was seriously hurt escaping the rotating wreck. Both gliders were destroyed.