On July 20, 2016, a DIAMOND AIRCRAFT IND GMBH HK 36 TC operated by EASTERN CINCINNATI AVIATION INC. was involved in an aviation accident near Blanchester, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the powered glider during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During landing roll on a narrow grass airstrip, a powered glider veered left. The pilot's right rudder correction was unsuccessful. The left main gear traveled over a runway crown slope, and the left wing struck corn stalks. The glider spun left and slid into a corn field, sustaining substantial fuselage damage.
Accident Details
A powered glider veered to the left of the runway centerline during the landing roll on a narrow grass airstrip. The pilot attempted to correct the veer with right rudder input, but the correction was unsuccessful. The left main landing gear then traveled over a slope in the runway, which was described as a crown for drainage purposes. The left wing subsequently impacted corn stalks. The glider spun to the left and slid down the drainage area into the corn field.
Aircraft Damage
The powered glider sustained substantial damage to the fuselage as a result of the accident.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered glider that would have precluded normal operation.