A FLYING enthusiast from Ribble Valley died after the wheel of his glider became snarled in a runway cable, an accident probe has revealed.

Investigators have now issued a safety recommendation to the British Gliding Association to ensure a similar tragedy never happens again.

Experienced pilot David Rukin, 44, of Pendle Drive, Whalley, died in February when the self-powered glider he was flying with friend Martin Moss, 55, of Penwortham, fell to the ground shortly after take-off at the Bowland Forest Gliding Club, in Chipping.

Witnesses to the crash reported the glider turning earlier than expected to start its take-off and bumping along the field.

The glider struggled to build up speed before leaving the ground and shortly after take-off spiralled out of control, nose-diving from a height of 100ft into a nearby field with the cable still caught on its tailwheel.

"It was clear that the cable had become hooked over the outer end of the axle stud and the principal effect would have been to pull the tail wheel to the right," said the investigators' report.

"The conditions were such that it remained in position and the developing situation quickly became critical.

"It was probable that the pilot did not understand what was happening in the short time before the aircraft impacted the ground.

"The impact, which destroyed the right wing and fuselage of the aircraft, was non-survivable."

They have now asked the British Gliding Association to advise member clubs to ensure that the position of cables are known to pilots of powered gliders.

They said both pilots sustained multiple injuries and were killed instantly, adding there had been no evidence of anything that might have caused or contributed to the accident.

Mr Rukin, an experienced pilot and gliding instructor, served as a magistrate on the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale bench.

Bowland Forest Gliding Club is believed to have had a 100 per cent safety record since being established in 1979.

An inquest into the death is due to be held at Clitheroe Town Hall on October 20.