Glider pilot died after crash landing in Cotswold field

Assistant Gloucestershire Coroner Roland Wooderson recorded a conclusion of accidental death on Nicholas Gaunt, 85.

The inquest heard that Mr Gaunt, of Chapel Close in Helmsley, North Yorkshire, was able to climb out of his DG-300 Elan G-CKJH glider after landing in Winchcombe on July 27, 2022.

However, after taking just a few paces he lost the feeling in his legs and fell to the ground.

He was flown by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, but died there 20 days later from pneumonia contracted after he had undergone spinal surgery.

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Nick Gaunt’s glider in the position where he landed at Winchcombe. (Image: GNS)

A report by the Air Accident Investigation Board read out at the inquest stated that Mr Gaunt had 3,900 hours of flying time.

On the day of the crash, he had been taking part in an annual gliding competition from Long Mynd Airfield, Shropshire, taking off at 2.48pm

At around 5.20pm the aircraft was passing north of Winchcombe when the pilot decided he would be unable to get back to the launch site that day.

On touchdown at 5.30pm, the aircraft "immediately struck something causing the glider to jerk violently", which caused the neck injury, before coming to rest in a fence.

"He landed heavily and bounced. He felt his neck had been injured. The glider ended up embedded in a fence. He got out and took a few steps but lost feeling in his legs and fell to the ground."

The report added that his flight computer with a moving map display had stopped working 40 minutes before the crash which may have meant he was unable to select better fields to land in.

It also noted that Mr Gaunt's fracture may have been due to his spine being "significantly weaker" than normal.

"Given the experience of the pilot, the choice of landing field was out of character but the sun, the field crop and his possible dehydration on a warm day may have contributed to the decision he made," the report added.

"Given his experience the choice of field was inexplicable. It was an unsuitable field."

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This picture was taken when Nick Gaunt was juyst 15 years old and was already flying gliders. (Image: GNS)

Mr Gaunt first started gliding solo at just 15, while a pupil at Leighton Park in Reading.

He went on to study textile engineering at Leeds University, where he met his wife of 64 years, Diana Hotchkin, and formed a university gliding club.

Mr Gaunt later became a member of the Yorkshire Gliding Club for over half a century, serving as its chairman for many years.

He leaves behind his wife Diana, son Patrick and daughter Rachel, and two grandchildren.

In a tribute to him, the club said:

Mr Gaunt was a member of the Yorkshire Gliding Club which said in a tribute to him "Nick’s enthusiasm to be in the air never waned and he took every opportunity to fly and push the boundaries.

“His enthusiasm was infectious, inspiring many people to fly.

"Nick’s flights were always imaginative and adventurous; he was continually exploring and trying new ideas.”