UPDATED: Pilot did not survive after aircraft crashes near Geraardsbergen airfield (Belgium)

A pilot was critically injured on Saturday afternoon, June 13th, after a light aircraft crashed near the airfield of Overboelare, a district of Geraardsbergen in East Flanders, Belgium.

The accident occurred at approximately 14:10 local time in the Kortelakestraat area, not far from the local aerodrome and close to the River Dender. According to Belgian media reports, the aircraft struck a tree during the crash, causing significant damage to the aircraft.

Emergency services responded rapidly and initiated resuscitation efforts at the scene before the pilot was transferred in critical condition to a hospital in Aalst. No other occupants were reported to be on board.

The exact circumstances of the accident remain unclear. The public prosecutor’s office has appointed an expert to investigate the cause of the crash.

Local reports initially described the aircraft as a “sport aircraft“, while other sources referred to it as a glider. Information received by Aviation24.be indicates that only one person was on board the aircraft.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the aircraft involved may have been OO-RTP, a Bellanca 8GCBC Scout operated by the local gliding club. The club’s fleet consists primarily of gliders and a single tow aircraft of this type. However, authorities have not yet officially identified the aircraft involved in the accident.

A review of publicly available flight-tracking data did not reveal any corresponding flight in the vicinity of the crash site, although aircraft of this type are not always visible on tracking platforms. Several gliders were active in the area at the time.

Further details are expected once investigators have examined the wreckage and authorities release additional information.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

UPDATE

Glider pilot dies following crash near Geraardsbergen

A 70-year-old glider pilot who crashed into a tree near the airfield in Geraardsbergen on Saturday has died from his injuries. The pilot, a member of Gliding Club Phoenix, was flown to hospital after the accident but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. Authorities have launched an investigation, and the cause of the crash remains unknown.