What happened
On August 3, 2004, an ALEXANDER SCHLEICHDER ASW-19B glider, registration EC-HBD, was performing a local flight departing from the Fuentemilanos Aerodrome in Segovia. During the landing phase, the aircraft experienced a hard landing while the landing gear remained in the retracted position.
As the pilot approached runway 34, the wind conditions were recorded at 8 knots from the northwest with visibility exceeding 10,000 meters. During the final segment of the approach, the pilot mistakenly operated the landing gear lever, believing it to be the airbrake lever. This resulted in the landing gear being retracted. Observers on the ground noted that the aircraft was approaching the runway at an excessive speed with the airbrakes retracted.
Ground personnel immediately notified the pilot via radio regarding the gear status. In an attempt to rectify the situation, the pilot attempted to deploy the airbrakes and manipulate the gear levers simultaneously using a single hand. This sequence of actions led to unstable flight characteristics and oscillations along the flight path, culminating in a heavy impact on the runway with the gear still up.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's actions, the aircraft's configuration, and the sequence of control inputs. It was established that the pilot held a valid commercial glider license and a current medical certificate. The aircraft's airworthiness certificate was also valid at the time of the incident. The investigation focused on the pilot's error in identifying the control levers and the subsequent loss of stabilized flight during the final moments of the landing.
Findings
- The pilot mistakenly operated the landing gear lever instead of the airbrake lever during the final approach.
- The pilot's attempt to manage both control levers simultaneously with one hand caused unstable flight oscillations.
- The aircraft touched down with the landing gear retracted, causing damage to the lower fuselage, the tailwheel, and the left wing.
- The pilot sustained one injury involving cuts to the left hand and back injuries.