What happened
On June 24, 2010, a privately owned DG-800B motor glider, registered JA80DG, was performing a familiarization flight in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The flight, which began at a gliding field in Nishitakao, involved a round-trip route toward Tsuyama City. After an hour of thermal soaring, the pilot returned to the departure aerodrome for landing.
During the final approach, the pilot attempted to target a specific landing spot near the edge of the field to avoid thick grass that might impede ground operations. As the aircraft approached the boundary of the gliding field, the pilot realized the altitude was lower than the intended glide path. In an attempt to correct the descent, the pilot raised the nose and partially closed the airbrakes. However, the aircraft's aft fuselage struck the edge of the field's boundary. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch forward violently, leading to a heavy touchdown that caused further damage to the airframe. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, escaped without injury.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) conducted an investigation involving on-site inspections and interviews. Investigators examined the aircraft's condition, noting cracks in the aft fuselage, a hole in the canopy, and a deformed tail wheel fork. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, which indicated light northeast winds, and analyzed the pilot's flight maneuvers in relation to established glider operation standards. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within allowable limits at the time of the accident.