GLIDER pilot Linda Martindale's attempt at a forced landing in poor weather ended in tragedy when her aircraft plunged nose-first into a field, an inquest jury heard yesterday.

The 50-year-old experienced pilot set off from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, in good weather, last June, bound for Sutton Bank, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

Two hours later, she encountered a sudden weather change which led to her glider hitting the ground at 70mph, at Warren House Farm, High Ellington, near Masham.

A jury at the Harrogate inquest returned a misadventure verdict on Mrs Martindale, of Gleaston, near Ulverston, Cumbria.

She died in hospital from multiple injuries the day after the crash. Coroner Geoff Fell said there were no witnesses to the accident.

British Gliding Association crash investigator Terry Slater said there was nothing wrong with the aircraft, but other pilots who had flown from Sutton Bank told him the weather had deteriorated to a point where staying airborne was difficult.

He said: "I think Mrs Martindale realised she was unable to stay airborne and was desperate to try to complete her task and get to Sutton Bank.

"I suspect that while man- oeuvring to land she lost control at an altitude from which she was not able to recover.''

Mr Slater said he would be urging a review of ongoing pilot training and forced landing techniques.