Glider pilot dies in a crash during take-off in Bedfordshire

Glider pilot dies in a crash during take-off in Bedfordshire: Police appeal for witnesses as man in his 40s is pronounced dead at the scene

A glider pilot has died in a crash during take-off from an airfield in Bedfordshire, it has emerged.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the London Gliding Club’s base at Dunstable Downs yesterday.

The gliding club said the dead pilot’s next of kin had been informed and there was no indication yet what caused the crash. 

The tragedy is being probed by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB). 

A club spokeswoman said the British Gliding Association was also investigating.

A glider pilot has died in a crash during take-off from an airfield in Bedfordshire yesterday, it has emerged. Pictured: London Gliding Club’s base at Dunstable Downs

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a man in his 40s was pronounced dead at the scene. Pictured: File photo of a glider plane

The ‘serious accident’ occurred around 12.30pm yesterday, the club told the BBC. 

The AAIB sent a team of inspectors to the site to gather evidence.

It is understood that the Beds, Cambs and Herts Serious Collision Investigation Unit is also investigating the incident.

The AAIB said last night: ‘An accident in Dunstable was reported this afternoon and we have deployed a field team to investigate.’

People on board gliders are towed into the air by a plane which then drops the connecting cable to the glider can soar unhindered.

Source: Read Full Article