Accident to the Glaser Dirks DG800 registered F-CHYD on 03/08/2024 at Blesle
Loss of lift, late engine deployment, forced landing, collision with vegetation
During the flight, faced with adverse weather conditions and searching for uplifts, the pilot entered a valley, probably to get closer to the departure aerodrome. After several minutes of unsuccessful attempts to regain altitude and while at an altitude of 611 m, he found a suitable field for an off-aerodrome landing in order to extend the propeller.
The pilot started his U-shaped landing pattern. At the end of the turn and while on final at a height of around 20 m compared with the chosen field, he extended the propeller of his self-
launching glider.
Before the pilot had time to start the engine, the glider struck the top of trees located before the selected field and then crashed into the trees at the edge of a field.