British Pilot Jon Gatfield Dies in Glider Crash at Italian Competition
British pilot is killed in crash during Italian flying competition

Image: Mail Online
Jon Gatfield, a 68-year-old British glider pilot, tragically died after his aircraft crashed during the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix in northern Italy on May 25. The incident occurred near Gorno, Lombardy, as he was competing in a 250-kilometer race. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the crash.
- 01Jon Gatfield was 68 years old and an experienced pilot in the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix.
- 02The crash occurred on May 25, 2023, in the Val del Riso area of Bergamo province, Lombardy, Italy.
- 03Gatfield had won the opening race of the competition prior to the crash, completing a 205-kilometer route.
- 04Rescue teams reached the crash site quickly, but Gatfield could not be saved.
- 05Investigators are looking into potential causes, including medical emergencies, technical issues, or pilot error.
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Jon Gatfield, a 68-year-old British glider pilot, died in a tragic accident during the FAI Sailplane Grand Prix on May 25, 2023, in northern Italy. The incident took place on the slopes of Monte Grem, above Gorno in the Val del Riso area of Bergamo province. Gatfield was flying alone in his motor glider when he began losing altitude around 3:30 PM, prompting another pilot to raise the alarm. Despite the swift response from rescue teams, including firefighters and helicopter services, Gatfield could not be saved. He was competing with 15 other pilots in the event, having won the previous day's race. Witnesses reported seeing the glider fall and hearing the crash. Investigations are underway to determine the cause, with possibilities including a medical emergency or technical failure. Following the incident, competition organizers suspended the remaining races and expressed deep sadness over the loss of Gatfield, who was well-respected in the international gliding community.
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The crash has led to the suspension of the remaining races in the competition, affecting participants and organizers.
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