SZD-30 Pirat hits treetops in a tight turn to avoid a paraglider

The pilot was seriously injured and the glider destroyed when it struck treetops while avoiding a paraglider. About 50 minutes after a winch launch, the pilot was flying figure-eights east of the airfield with a paraglider ahead. The glider passed it on the right, then turned back and headed towards it again. To prevent a collision the pilot had to tighten the turn, which left the nose pointing at the slope; in the following right turn away from it the height was no longer enough, and the right wingtip caught the treetops. The pilot climbed out unaided and called the emergency services.

1. Figure-eights east of the airfield: About 50 minutes after a winch launch the pilot was flying figure-eights east of the airfield, towards Burg Altpernstein.
2. 31 flying hours in total: The pilot had about 31 flying hours in all, nine of them on the type; the investigation named the low flying experience as a probable factor.
3. Paraglider ahead of the glider: A paraglider was flying ahead of the glider. Its pilot reported turning away to the left, with the glider passing on the right.
4. Turn back towards the paraglider: The glider then reversed and headed towards the paraglider again. The probable cause was recorded as recognising the collision risk too late.
5. Turn tightened to avoid a collision: To prevent a collision the pilot had to tighten the turn radius, which left the nose pointing directly at the slope.
6. Wingtip into the treetops: In the following right turn away from the slope the height was no longer enough and the right wingtip caught the treetops. The glider fell into steep woodland and the pilot was seriously injured.