AAIB Report: DG Aviation LS8-e, G-CMMG
DG Aviation LS8-e (G-CMMG), glider struck the ground during an attempted field landing, near Milston, Wiltshire, 25 May 2025
Track of the accident flight, recorded by the onboard avionics. © 2025 Google, Image © Landsat / Copernicus
During a flight in a UK National Gliding Competition, the pilot of G-CMMG was unable to maintain sufficient height to make it back to Lasham Airfield. The flight path at the end of the five-hour flight did not fit with the experience and normal practices of the pilot and resulted in the glider striking the ground with a high angle of bank. The pilot was seriously injured.
Due to communication issues and a lack of coordination, the emergency services were not informed of the accident for a significant period, during which time the pilot’s condition deteriorated. He was subsequently airlifted to hospital where he was treated for multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
As a result of the investigation the AAIB has made three Safety Recommendations to address the coordination and operational learning between those organisations involved in providing emergency assistance to an aircraft accident. The British Gliding Association (BGA), the Distress & Diversion (D&D) Cell and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have taken safety action to address issues raised by the investigation.