What happened
On June 15, 2014, at approximately 14:30 JST, a PZL-Bielsko SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider, registered JA2523, was involved in an undershoot accident near the Kitami District temporary agricultural operation site in Hokkaido, Japan. The aircraft, operated by Aero Sports Kitami, had been towed into the air at 14:19 JST and released at an altitude of 660 meters.
During the flight, the pilot entered the traffic pattern on the south side at an altitude higher than standard procedures dictated. While maintaining an airspeed of 100 km/h, the aircraft struggled to descend due to an upstream wind component encountered prior to the base turn. This forced the pilot to delay the base turn and extend the downwind leg.
In an attempt to correct the touchdown point, the pilot deployed the dive brakes. However, the maneuver resulted in an approach path that was too low. As the aircraft neared the ground, the pilot performed a flare and closed the dive brakes, but the glider failed to reach the paved runway. The aircraft instead entered the grass overrun area, eventually colliding with a metallic fence located on the western boundary of the site and a nearby embankment. The impact caused substantial damage to the fuselage, landing gear, and empennage.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the flight history, weather conditions, and the physical state of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed statements from the pilot and a witness, as well as meteorological data from the site. The investigation also assessed the structural damage to the JA2523, noting that the fuselage broke just aft of the main wing and the landing gear cover was destroyed upon impact.
Findings
- The weather was cloudy with intermittent rain and light winds, providing conditions generally suitable for flight.
- The pilot's approach path was initially higher than normal, which prompted the use of dive brakes to adjust the touchdown point.
- The pilot failed to maintain an appropriate approach path, as the deployment and subsequent closing of the dive brakes led to a descent rate and path that resulted in an undershoot.
- Closing the dive brakes during the flare was likely too late to prevent the aircraft from striking the obstacles located at the edge of the overrun area.