Accident to the glider Glasflugel 304 CZ registered D-5304 on 09/07/2020 at Saint-Pons (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)

Cat. 2 investigation report: simplified-format report, adapted to the circumstances of the occurrence and the investigation stakes.

The pilot was thermalling north of Barcelonnette valley. He headed toward another glider who seemed to be in a better uplift zone, flying along a spur and following a path almost perpendicular to Parpaillon massif. Realising that his height was becoming too low, he turned around. The glider suddenly lost altitude and the pilot was unable to avoid collision with the vegetation.