What happened
On July 23, 2020, a glider with registration LN-GIB, an Alexander Schleicher ASK 21, was performing a cross-country flight with a passenger near Elverum Airport Starmoen. After flying through the region, the pilot identified a suitable potato field for an off-field landing.
During the approach, the pilot deviated from the recommended landing pattern, flying at a high angle of attack with full airbrakes. The aircraft first struck the ground approximately 130 to 140 meters from the edge of the field. The impact caused the aircraft to bounce back into the air. While attempting to stop before hitting a nearby forest, the right wing struck birch trees, causing significant structural damage. The aircraft finally came to rest in a small stream. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the Norwegian Gliding Association (S/NLF), examined the flight path, the pilot's previous experience, and the technical state of the aircraft. Investigators analyzed GPS track logs, which revealed that the pilot did not follow the standard approach pattern. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history, noting that while the pilot had performed previous off-field landings, they were often characterized by higher-than-recommended approach speeds.
Technical inspections confirmed the Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 was airworthy prior to the accident. The damage to the fuselage, specifically between the main and nose wheels, was consistent with a hard landing. The wings sustained significant damage, including a break in the right wingtip and tears near the wing roots, resulting from the collision with trees.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive energy during the landing, driven by an approach speed significantly higher than the recommended 90 km/h.
- The pilot deviated from the standard landing pattern, resulting in a short final that left insufficient distance to dissipate energy.
- The pilot's approach involved a high angle of attack and high speed, which caused the aircraft to overshoot the usable portion of the field.
- Previous feedback regarding ambitious route planning and the need for better type-specific training had not been fully integrated into corrective actions.