What happened
On May 29, 2022, a private Schleicher ASH 25 glider, registration F-CHAT, was performing a recreational flight originating from Fuentemilanos Aerodrome (LEFM) in Segovia, Spain. The flight, which included one pilot and one passenger, had been underway for several hours. As the aircraft approached the aerodrome for landing, the pilot encountered significant meteorological challenges, including a developing storm system and turbulent conditions.
During the final approach to runway 16, the glider entered a strong downdraft. This sudden loss of altitude prevented the pilot from maintaining the necessary glide path to reach the runway threshold. To avoid an impact with the aerodrome's perimeter fence, the pilot executed an evasive maneuver, steering the aircraft toward an adjacent field approximately 150 meters east of the runway head.
Upon touching down in the field, the aircraft struck a small embankment topped with a barbed-wire fence. The impact caused the rear canopy to break, and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot remained uninjured, but the passenger sustained minor facial injuries from the broken plexiglass and wire.
The investigation
The CIAIAC investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records, the pilot's experience, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was well-maintained and that the pilot was appropriately licensed and experienced. Investigators also reviewed the flight path and the impact site, noting that the damage to the F-CHAT was consistent with an emergency off-field landing. The investigation also considered the impact of the terrain's undulations, which can create turbulent crosswinds during approaches to runway 16.