Decision-Making and Risk
By Christopher Thorpe
On 5 June 2024, an experienced British pilot flying a Mini Nimbus C set out to complete a five-hour duration flight – one of the final steps toward earning his Silver badge. The flight ended in tragedy. After overflying several potential landing fields and attempting to thermal below 400ft AGL, the pilot lost control, recovered briefly, but ultimately struck trees and was fatally injured. The glider was destroyed.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found no mechanical issues, no violation of airspace or rules, and no significant medical event that could explain the accident. The pilot was qualified, current and well respected. What went wrong?
This sobering incident presents lessons directly relevant to the Australian gliding community. From decision-making delays to the dangers of low-level thermalling and the subtle effects of age, the G-CFHG accident speaks to issues that Gliding Australia pilots and instructors must actively confront.
A Badge in Sight – and Tunnel Vision
The pilot’s stated goal was clear: complete a five-hour flight to qualify for the Silver badge. Clubmates recalled he was in good spirits, had spoken of his plan to fly cross-country, and wanted to avoid “soaring locally for five hours” as it would be “boring”. In other words, the pilot was task-focused – perhaps too much so.
This phenomenon is familiar to instructors: goal fixation. When personal achievement takes centre stage, situational awareness and safety margins can quietly erode. In this case, the desire to complete a badge flight may have led to an increasing tolerance of risk as the flight progressed.
Lesson for Australian Pilots:
Under the GPC syllabus, instructors are required to teach that operational decisions must always override task objectives. Tasks are optional. Safety is not.
If you catch yourself saying, “just a bit further”, or “I can make this work”, stop and reassess. Pilots should never be afraid to abandon a badge or task. There’s always another day – but there’s only one you.
1. Field Landings: Don’t Fly Through Your Last Good Option
Flight data showed that G-CFHG descended through what is commonly referred to as the ‘high key’ point – approximately 900ft AGL – without committing to a landing or initiating a circuit. This is the height at which a pilot should cease soaring or thermalling and begin planning and flying a standard landing circuit, with sufficient altitude to assess the field, manage energy and complete all turns safely. Instead, the pilot continued downwind and attempted to thermal at around 400ft AGL – well below a safe height for recovery or circuit manoeuvring – leaving no margin to respond to an upset or to safely configure for landing.
This behaviour conflicts with both BGA and Gliding Australia field landing guidance. The decision to land should be made while the glider still has time, space and energy to do so safely.
2. Thermalling Too Low: A Known Killer
G-CFHG’s pilot began thermalling in what appeared to be weak lift at about 400ft AGL – just above the treetops. After a few turns, the glider suffered a wing drop consistent with a stall, briefly recovered and then stalled again. The second stall ended in tree contact and ground impact.
Thermalling below 500ft is rarely justifiable, and always risky. Even experienced pilots can be tempted to “give it one more try”, especially when trying to complete a goal.
Aerodynamic Reality:
- Steep turns at low speed increase load factor and stall speed.
- Turbulence or wind shear near terrain can trigger a stall with little warning.
- At low altitudes, there’s no time or space for recovery – even with perfect handling.
3. Age and Cognitive Load: Invisible Risks
The pilot of G-CFHG was 73 and had a long, positive flying history. He held a self-declared pilot medical (equivalent to our GFA Medical Statement) and was reportedly in good health. Yet, the AAIB noted that while there was no evidence of incapacitation, a contributory medical or cognitive factor could not be ruled out.
As pilots age, changes in reaction time, processing speed and risk perception can occur – even in healthy individuals. This is especially relevant when under pressure or fatigue.
Gliding Australia Guidance for Aging Pilots:
Gliding Australia’s ‘Managing Flying Risk – Aging Pilots’ safety bulletin provides the following recommendations.
Fly well-rested – skip the push day. Age brings quicker fatigue and lower stamina, so launch only when fully rested. As the safety bulletin notes, “With age … greater caution is needed … fatigue … and reduced stamina” and long tasks can place you “in more stressful conditions than planned”. Use the IMSAFE check to guard against operating while tired or depleted.
Allow extra planning time – daily and long-term. Both pre-flight briefs and periodic fitness reviews matter. “IMSAFE takes on greater significance … in a long-term context”, and pilots are urged to seek expert medical advice to factor into ongoing self-assessment.
Carry a realistic Plan B – and act on it. Listen to your inner voice and to peers. If the day starts to unravel, use the ‘three-stuff-ups’ rule as a cue to pause, switch to dual, or call it quits.
Widen your safety margins. Adopt higher personal minima for height, weather and task complexity. The Safety Bulletin urges “sensible self-imposed limits” because cross-country and demanding conditions become “more challenging” with age – so err on the side of caution.
4. Training Is Not One-and-Done
The pilot had completed stall/spin training the year prior. He had also completed field landing exercises in a motor glider. Yet, just 12 days before the accident, he had outlanded in a similar area and reportedly acknowledged that he “should have chosen a field a mile earlier".
That insight, though correct, did not prevent a repeat error – suggesting that training, while necessary, must be refreshed and reinforced, especially after close calls.
For Australian Clubs
- Ensure pilots who have recently had difficult or marginal landings are supported with post-flight review, coaching and follow-up flying.
- Use local outlanding zones to practise approach planning.
- Consider integrating more two-seat paddock exercises as part of your club’s safety program.
Final Reflections:
Fly the Glider First
The final minutes of G-CFHG’s flight suggest a pilot under pressure, flying low over difficult terrain, seeking lift and delaying a decision that should have been made minutes earlier.
Despite the training, currency and experience, the outcome was fatal – because once the margin was gone, recovery was no longer an option.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t let task goals override safety decisions.
- Commit to field landings early. Don’t fly past your last good option.
- Never thermal below 500ft. If you’re that low, you should be landing.
- Understand how age and fatigue can subtly affect your decisions.
- Training must be recurrent, especially after incidents or as pilots age.
Conclusion
The G-CFHG accident is a stark reminder that even experienced and well-intentioned pilots can fall into decision-making traps. In our community, safety is a shared responsibility – between instructors, coaches and every pilot on the field.
Let’s keep learning, keep talking, and most importantly - keep flying the glider.
Resources for Further Reading
- AAIB investigation to Mini Nimbus C, G-CFHG - GOV.UK
- GFA Safety Bulletin - Managing Flying Risk: Aging Pilots
- GPC Unit 16 - Circuit Joining & Execution
- GPC Unit 17 - Stabilised Approach & Landing
- GPC Unit 18 - Spin Spiral Dive Avoidance and Recovery
- GPC Unit 24 - Human Factors and Limitations
- GPC Unit 25 - Threat & Error Management
- GPC Unit 34 - Outlanding Planning Demonstration & Execution
About the Author:
Christopher Thorpe is the former Executive Manager Operations for Gliding Australia and has extensive experience in aviation safety, training and gliding operations management.
