Pilot dies in tragic accident at Portmoak Gliding Centre

A glider pilot has been killed in a crash near Kinross.

Emergency services were called to Portmoak Airport at Scotlandwell shortly after 1.30pm today following reports of a serious crash involving a glider at the Portmoak Gliding Centre.

A man in his late 40s was found in the Nimbus 3 aircraft and, despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood the aircraft was taking off and had only been a matter of feet off the ground when the tragedy happened. No one else was injured.

Police say the dead man will not be named until next of kin have been full informed and formal identification has taken place.

An investigation, involving Tayside Police, the Air Accident Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Authority, is already under way.

As with all sudden deaths a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

It is the second glider tragedy in Courier Country in recent weeks, after a pilot died in a crash near Kirriemuir on August 4.For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Courier