What happened
On February 15, 2022, at approximately 21:03 local time, a Schempp-Hirth Janus C glider was performing a landing circuit at Pucont Aerodrome (SCPC), Chile. The flight, which had been a local excursion near the Villarrica Volcano, involved a pilot and one passenger.
While executing the approach for runway 28, the pilot realized the aircraft was at an insufficient altitude to complete a safe landing on the planned runway. To avoid a dangerous situation, the pilot decided to abort the circuit and instead land on the opposite runway, runway 10, utilizing the remaining portion of the strip with a tailwind. However, the aircraft could not be stopped before the end of the runway, resulting in the glider impacting and breaching the aerodrome's perimeter fence.
Both the pilot and the passenger escaped the incident without injuries, though the aircraft sustained significant structural damage, including fractures to both wings and the tail unit.
The investigation
DGAC Chile examined flight data from the aircraft's FLARE flight recorder and analyzed the mechanical state of the glider. The investigation focused on the aircraft's descent profile and the pilot's decision-making process during the final approach. Investigators also reviewed meteorological reports and the pilot's familiarity with the Pucón Aerodrome environment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the glider exiting the runway limits during a landing maneuver on the final segment of runway 10 while experiencing a tailwind.
- The pilot had used the airbrake to correct altitude earlier in the flight but failed to properly secure the cockpit control lever.
- Due to the lack of a secure lock, the airbrake re-deployed unexpectedly during flight due to aerodynamic forces, causing an unplanned descent.
- The pilot did not sufficiently monitor the altimeter to maintain the required approach height.
- Contributing factors included low natural light levels near dusk, the pilot's lack of familiarity with the specific aerodrome surroundings, and the use of a limited runway segment with unfavorable wind conditions.