AAIB investigation to Discus B, G-DJMD / Standard Cirrus, G-DCTB
Discus B (G-DJMD) and Standard Cirrus (G-DCTB), collided while landing at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, Northamptonshire, 25 May 2024
Having completed their flying tasks in a local club competition, gliders G-DJMD and G-DCTB returned to Hinton-in-the-Hedges airfield, and both aircraft manoeuvred to the north-east of the airfield in preparation for an approach to land. The competition required pilots to report their position on the radio when downwind and when on final, but neither pilot was heard to do so, meaning a critical opportunity to alter the outcome was missed, and they remained unaware of each other’s presence until they collided on short final. The pilot of G-DCTB suffered serious injuries. The pilot of G-DJMD was struck by G-DCTB’s wingtip during the collision and the glider then struck the ground in an inverted attitude. The pilot of G-DJMD suffered fatal injuries.
The investigation identified the following causal factor related to the collision:
- The pilots did not effectively communicate their location or intentions on the radio, and the unalerted ‘see-and-avoid’ principle was insufficient for either of them to be aware of the presence of the other in time to take avoiding action when joining the circuit and on final approach.
The investigation made the following findings:
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When an aeronautical radio station is licensed and approved to provide an Air Ground Communication Service, the service must be provided inside published hours of operation, unless promulgated otherwise by NOTAM or other suitable means.
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Glider pilots must hold a Flight Radiotelephony Operator Licence if they communicate with an air traffic control or flight information unit, or an Air Ground Communication Service.
Safety action was taken by:
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The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to remind radio licensees of their obligation to provide the service approved on their licence, and to ensure that approvals under the Air Navigation Order accurately reflected the responsibilities of licence holders.
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The British Gliding Association (BGA) to promulgate information on the avoidance of midair collisions.
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The respective gliding clubs to clarify their requirements for the use of radios by pilots.
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