Accident Glaser-Dirks DG-600/18 BGA 3445,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 67643
 
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Date:Sunday 18 September 2005
Time:12:30 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic dg6h model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Glaser-Dirks DG-600/18
Owner/operator:Essex Gliding Club
Registration: BGA 3445
MSN: 6-11
Fatalities:Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Aircraft damage: Destroyed
Category:Accident
Location:Ridgewell Airfield near Great Yeldham, 7.5 miles NW of Halstead, Essex -   United Kingdom
Phase: Initial climb
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Ridgewell Airfield, Braintree, Essex
Destination airport:Ridgewell Airfield. Braintree, Essex
Investigating agency: AAIB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
At a height of approximately 350 feet during a winch launch, the glider was observed to be climbing at a slightly steeper than normal angle. The glider’s airspeed was perceived to be abnormally slow and the winch engine lost rpm. The winch operator adjusted the winch throttle setting to allow the engine to accelerate but this had little effect. The glider stalled, yawed to the right and entered a right-hand spin; during this manoeuvre the cable separated from the glider. Height was insufficient for recovery and the glider struck the ground whilst spinning, fatally injuring the pilot.

According to a contemporary press report:

"Glider Pilot Killed in Local Airfield Tragedy
POLICE have named a glider pilot who died at an airfield on Sunday as 74-year-old Peter Manley. Mr Manley, of Ashen Road, Clare, died after his glider crashed on take-off from a height of around 300 feet at Ridgewell airfield, Ashen, on Sunday afternoon.

An air accident team has been at the scene investigating the crash, which may have been caused by a snapped cable as the glider, a DG 600, was wínched into the air. The Rev Michael Hewitt, Vicar of Ridgewell, said residents of the village had been shocked and saddened by the tragedy "It was a great shock, particuarly as I understand he had been flying for 30 years and never had an accident before," he said. "Everyone was asking about it, but we did not automatically think it would be anyone local because people come from all over to the club. When we heard it was Peter it was worse. I think they have lived in the area for about Five years and their neighbours are all very upset."

A spokesman for Essex Police said the provisional cause of death was multiple injuries and an inquest was due to be opened and adjourned today He said police officers were called to the Essex Gliding Glub airfield at Pannel Ash Green, Ashen, just before 2pm on Sunday Mr Manley was pronounced dead at the scene and the area was roped off overnight until accident investigators arrived".

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: AAIB
Report number: 
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

1. AAIB: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5422fed1e5274a131400096d/Glaser_Dirks_DG600_Glider__BGA_3445__Tail_No_656_.pdf
2. CAA: https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP800.pdf
3. http://www.clare-uk.com/news/328.htm

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
18-Dec-2012 13:30 Dr. John Smith Updated [Time, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Narrative]
25-May-2013 20:04 Alpine Flight Updated [Time, Aircraft type, Departure airport, Destination airport]
05-Dec-2014 02:19 Dr. John Smith Updated [Location, Source]
06-Aug-2016 20:12 Dr.John Smith Updated [Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative]

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