Fatal glider crash 'misfortune'

Both pilots had been flying close to a bank of cloud

A glider collision in which one man died was the "consequence of misfortune" because both pilots flew near cloud, an expert report said.

Both gliders suffered damaged wings above Sutton Bank, North Yorks in 2006.

Steve Algeo, 50, of Corby, Northants, parachuted to safety, but Peter Heywood, 48, from Wellingborough, also Northants, died in the crash.

Investigators said they had "elevated the risks of encountering another aircraft by flying in or near cloud."

The report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it seemed probable the crash occurred as "one of the gliders descended out of cloud or through 'scuddy cloud' near the main cloud base."

Reference material

The lengthy document adds that each pilot had accepted the elevated risk of encountering another aircraft with little or no time to see and avoid it.

Experts who examined the circumstances leading up to the accident decided there was "little guidance and no formal training is available to glider pilots who wish to learn to fly in cloud".

They recommended the British Gliding Association should provide reference material for clubs, instructors and pilots that identify the risks of flying close to cloud or in poor visual flying conditions.

Another recommendation was also made about the use of VHF radios by glider pilots which would enable them to be aware of each other's presence in or around cloud.