What happened
On December 18, 2010, at approximately 20:00 UTC, a KW-1 glider, registration PT-PKD, was performing a local flight from Formosa Aerodrome (SWFR) in Goiás, Brazil. After approximately three hours of flight and having traveled roughly 40km from the departure point, the pilot returned to the aerodrome for landing.
Upon returning, the pilot noted that meteorological conditions had degraded since takeoff. To avoid the deteriorating weather and because another aircraft was currently taking off from the main asphalt runway, the pilot decided to land on a grass strip located to the left of the main runway. The pilot chose this specific area to avoid puddles observed on the center of the grass strip. During the landing roll, a gust of wind caused the aircraft to veer to the left, leading to a collision with natural obstacles. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and landing gear, though the pilot remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making and the aircraft's mechanical state. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft's weight and balance were within manufacturer limits and that all flight controls, including directional controls, were fully functional. Maintenance records and the aircraft's airworthiness certificate were found to be up to date.
While the pilot's physical medical certificate (CCF) had expired, investigators could not determine if this impacted the pilot's ability to control the aircraft, as no health issues were reported. However, the investigation noted that the operator, Aeroclube de Brasília, lacked oversight mechanisms to ensure pilots were flying with valid medical certifications.