What happened
On February 3, 2020, an L-23 Super Blanik glider, registration VT-GLE, was conducting a joyride flight at Dumka airfield in Jharkhand. The flight, operated by M/s Jharkhand Flying Institute, began with a standard winch launch from Runway 27. After the auto-release mechanism disengaged at approximately 600 feet AGL, the pilot deviated from the standard left-hand circuit pattern by initiating a right turn.
In an attempt to land on the opposite end of the runway (Runway 09), the pilot executed a steep left-hand turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft lost altitude rapidly. The left wing of the glider struck the airfield's boundary wall, causing the aircraft to crash onto an unpaved surface within the airstrip. The passenger in the front seat sustained fatal injuries, while the pilot suffered serious injuries.
The investigation
AAIB India's investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and had undergone all required inspections prior to the flight. The weather conditions were favorable, with clear skies and good visibility. The investigation focused on the pilot's maneuvers and the operational procedures of the flying institute.
Investigators noted that the pilot's flight controls for the passenger had not been removed in accordance with DGCA guidelines. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) used by the Jharkhand Flying Institute were not aligned with the circulars issued by the DGCA regarding gliding operations.
Findings
- The pilot performed a steep, low-altitude turn that did not adhere to established safety guidelines.
- The aircraft was flying with insufficient airspeed and excessive rudder input, which increased drag and led to a stall.
- The pilot likely failed to monitor the airspeed indicator, potentially due to the stress of the low-altitude maneuver and the visual illusion of ground speed while landing downwind.
- The glider lacked the necessary energy and altitude to recover from the stall once it began.
- The pilot executed the final turn with insufficient speed and excessive rudder application, causing the glider to stall at an altitude too low for recovery.