What happened
On 29 May 2024, a Sportine Aviacija LAK-17B FES glider was involved in a fatal accident while participating in a glider competition at the Black Diamond / Cu Nim Aerodrome in Alberta. About 30 minutes after the flight began, the pilot exited the aircraft after jettisoning the canopy. Following the exit, the pilot's parachute failed to deploy, resulting in one fatality. After the pilot departed the cockpit, the glider struck the terrain southeast of the aerodrome, sustaining substantial damage from the impact.
The investigation
The TSB conducted a Class 4 investigation into the event. This type of investigation is limited in scope and focuses on the immediate circumstances of the occurrence. The investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the pilot's exit from the aircraft and the subsequent impact of the glider with the ground.