What happened
On June 2, 2021, a Schleicher ASK 21 glider, registration EC-JEQ, was conducting a competition flight as part of the Pyrenees Cup when the pilot initiated an emergency landing. The flight had departed from Santa Cilia Aerodrome earlier that day. During the return leg of the flight, the pilot determined that there was insufficient altitude to reach the aerodrome and opted to use a designated emergency landing field located south of Senegüé, in the municipality of Sabiñánigo.
The pilot executed an extended and stable approach into a field planted with a tall cereal crop. As the aircraft made contact with the vegetation, the underside of the right wing struck the grain before the landing gear reached the ground. This contact caused the aircraft to decelerate abruptly and pivot sharply to the right, coming to an immediate halt. While the pilot remained unharmed, the passenger sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path via GPS data, reviewed video footage of the impact, and analyzed the meteorological conditions. Investigators confirmed that the weather was favorable, with good visibility and light winds. The pilot was found to be highly experienced, holding a valid sailplane license and significant flight hours.
Technical analysis of the landing revealed that the height of the cereal crop played a critical role. Because the vegetation was tall, the wings made contact with the crop before the landing gear, preventing a simultaneous touchdown of both wings. This imbalance led to the sudden directional change and the abrupt stop that caused the passenger's injuries.