Schleicher Alexander Gmbh & Co ASH 26 E N455S and Schempp-Hirth VENTUS 2CT N514TW accident near Parowan, Utah

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to see and avoid the other glider climbing in the same thermal.

NTSB analysis

Two glider pilots had entered the same thermal while participating in a competition task that required them to fly to a point about 90 miles from their point of departure and then to return. Both pilots where flying back to the point of departure after reaching the turnaround point when they entered the thermal. During their first full turn in the thermal, the left wing of one of the gliders and the nose of other glider came in contact. The impact resulted in the separation of the outboard three feet of the wing of one glider and the denting of the lower nose area of the other. The pilots of both gliders were able to return to the point of departure, where they both completed uneventful landings. Neither pilot had seen the other glider as he entered the thermal.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10LA294 for the full record.