Nimbus 2 strikes trees in a low turn on an outlanding

The pilot of a Nimbus 2 was killed when the glider struck treetops in a descending turn while trying to land out. A very experienced pilot slope-soared the south-west face of the Semnoz for over half an hour, steadily sinking — a face that rarely gives lift early in the afternoon. As he sank he lost reach of two nearby aerodromes he could earlier have reached, and had no good field below. He spiralled without climbing at about 160 m, headed north over a wood, and in a low descending right turn hit the trees. No technical fault was found; investigators linked it to soaring an unsuitable slope for the time of day and a late outlanding decision.

1. Slope soaring the SW face: After an aerotow into the Bauges the pilot worked the south-west face of the Semnoz, a face that rarely gives lift early in the afternoon.
2. Steady sink for over 30 minutes: Over more than half an hour on the slope the glider sank steadily without finding usable lift.
3. Reachable aerodromes given up: As he sank he lost gliding reach of two aerodromes he could earlier have reached, and was left over terrain with no good field.
4. Low, late attempt to land out: He spiralled without climbing at about 160 m, then headed north over a wood in a low descending right turn.
5. Tree strike: The glider hit the treetops and broke up; the pilot was killed. No technical fault was found.