AAIB report examines Eurofox loss of control at Talgarth Airfield

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published its report into the loss of control of a Eurofox 2K aircraft during a glider-tug launch at Talgarth Airfield in Powys on 27 December 2025.

The report says the tug aircraft rolled to about 60 degrees left wing down shortly after take-off. The glider disconnected and landed safely ahead, while the tug aircraft touched down within the airfield boundary, became airborne again and then struck the ground in an adjacent field. The pilot was seriously injured.

According to the investigation, the wind was fully across the runway in use and may have been above the aircraft's crosswind limit. It says turbulence encountered during the flight immediately before the accident indicated an unstable air mass over the runway, which was likely also present during the accident flight and probably caused the initial roll and subsequent loss of control.

The AAIB says the gliding club improved its weather-reporting system so wind measurements would be more accessible and accurate for pilots, and began work to improve its safety culture following the accident.

What this means for Wales

The report concerns a serious accident at a Powys airfield and identifies the importance of accessible wind information and awareness of crosswind limits for glider-tug operations. Its findings describe this investigation; they do not establish a broader safety outcome for every airfield or aircraft type in Wales.