Accident Overview
On 28 April 2023, at approximately 1430 local time, a remotely piloted 1:2 scale ASG-29 glider was involved in an accident at Rønneld airfield for model aircraft near Skjeberg, Østfold, Norway. The glider was taking off via aerotow when it veered off the runway and struck a person standing at the side of the runway. The injured person, a German guest pilot, lost consciousness for about 5–7 minutes and was subsequently taken to a hospital by ambulance. He remained hospitalized for 11 days.
Sequence of Events
The accident occurred during a large scale model glider meet organized by IGG Norway. The event was originally planned at Lunde airfield in Telemark but was relocated to Rønneld due to poor runway conditions at Lunde. Guest pilots from Germany were among the participants. On 27 April, local safety regulations were briefed to the guest pilots, with continuous translation into German to accommodate the two German pilots.
On the day of the accident, the glider was being towed for takeoff. During the tow, it deviated from its intended path and hit one of the German guest pilots who was standing at the edge of the runway. The NSIA investigation noted that model aircraft occasionally veer off course during takeoff, and reducing the consequences of such events is primarily achieved by ensuring no one is in the area where the aircraft may depart the runway.
Injuries and Damage
The injured person sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized for 11 days. The NSIA report does not specify injuries to any other persons. The extent of damage to the glider is not detailed in the available summary, but the aircraft was a 1:2 scale ASG-29 glider owned and operated by a private individual.
Investigation Findings
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (NSIA) investigated the accident. The investigation focused on why the injured pilot was standing at the edge of the runway in front of the takeoff area, and why no one spotted him and aborted the takeoff. According to local rules, no one was allowed in that area during aerotows.
The NSIA could not determine why the pilot moved forward along the runway edge while aerotow operations were ongoing. Misunderstandings related to the local safety regulations appear to have been a factor, and language problems may have contributed. Inadequate clearance of the area immediately surrounding the runway before the aerotow started resulted in the pilot not being spotted.
As a result of the investigation, the NSIA issued one safety recommendation to the Model Aircraft Section of the Norwegian Air Sports Federation (NLF).