What happened
On November 5, 1989, a KW1 glider, registration PT-PEV, was participating in a gliding championship at the Palmeira das Missões aerodrome in Rio Grande do Sul. After taking off at 15:4Len UTC, the pilot flew for approximately 35 minutes. During the flight, the pilot determined that the aircraft was outside the safe landing cone for the aerodrome and attempted to gain more altitude by maneuvering toward the northern sector. When this maneuver failed to yield the necessary height, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing.
Initially, the pilot considered landing in a plowed field but ultimately chose to land on the BR-468 highway, which connects Palmeira das Missões to Três Passos. During the final approach, the pilot attempted to maneuver around high-voltage power lines and a metal sign structure. During these evasive actions, the left wing of the glider struck a medium-sized tree located beside the road. The impact caused the wing to break into four pieces and forced the fuselage into a vertical descent toward the ground. The pilot sustained light injuries, while the aircraft suffered substantial damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was properly licensed and experienced, and the aircraft was airworthy and within weight and balance limits. Investigators found that the decision to land on the highway was inappropriate, as there were nearby plowed fields that would have offered a much safer landing environment with lower risk.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the accident was not immediately reported to the local aeronautical authority (SERAC-5). The pilot left the scene with the aircraft's documents, promising to report the event but failing to do so. The accident only came to light when an official from the aeronautical investigation center visited the competition and discovered the wreckage in the local aero club's hangar.