Lessons Learned: Pilot Fatality, Mini Nimbus C

A fatal accident occurred involving the pilot of a Mini Nimbus C (G-CFHG), in Barlavington, Sussex, UK, June 5, 2024.

The pilot of the Mini Nimbus C took off with the intention to conduct an endurance flight lasting five hours. In the early stages of the flight, the pilot successfully gained height in two separate thermals. After approximately 30 minutes of flying, the Mini Nimbus C pilot turned 180° to track back toward the airfield. Without any further significant height gains, the glider eventually descended through the height at which BGA guidance suggests a field landing should be initiated.

The glider’s flightpath suggests the pilot did not intend to commit to a landing and at low level an apparent attempt was made to gain height in a thermal. The glider gained a small amount of additional height, but during this maneuver two loss of control events occurred, both consistent with a stall and wing drop. The pilot appeared to recover controlled flight during both incidents but lost height and following the second recovery, the glider came into contact with the tops of trees. This resulted in significant damage to the glider, and it struck the ground causing fatal injuries to the pilot.

The pilot had been appropriately trained, experienced, and qualified to conduct the flight, and the weather was suitable, although described as challenging by other pilots who flew that day. While not considered to be causal, a contributory medical factor could not be excluded: It was not possible to determine why the pilot elected not to follow the relevant training to conduct a field landing at the appropriate opportunity.