Flight History
On August 17, 2014, at approximately 11:48 JST, a PZL-Bielsko SZD-51-1 "Junior" glider, registration JA2549, operated by the Shizuoka Prefecture Aeronautic Association, departed from Fujikawa Gliding Field via tow for a familiarization flight. After about 10 minutes, the glider began its final approach. The captain practiced a forward slip combined with air brake use at an altitude of 150 m and approximately 700 m from the runway threshold. After leveling the bank, the airspeed indicator read 110 km/h at 300 m from the runway, with an altitude of about 60 m. While directing the nose toward the runway, the captain encountered a downdraft, closed the air brake, but the glider continued descending at a high rate. Despite a pitch-up before touchdown, the glider undershot and touched down on a field about 130 m short of the runway, around 12:00 JST. A witness observed the forward slip and noted that after leveling, the nose pointed west more than necessary, and the glider suddenly sank.
Damage
The glider sustained substantial damage: the left wing leading edge was damaged from contact with a barn, the fuselage and empennage were partially damaged. A drag mark of about 18 m was left on the field. No damage was found to the wing tips or flight control system.
Personnel and Glider Information
The captain, a 46-year-old male, held a private pilot certificate for gliders and a Class 2 Aviation Medical Certificate. His total flight time was 66 hours 58 minutes, with 12 hours 16 minutes on type. The glider, serial number B-2141, was manufactured on April 13, 1995, and held a valid certificate of airworthiness. Weight and center of gravity were within limits.
Meteorological Conditions
The captain reported almost southerly winds at 5–7 kt, with good visibility and sunny conditions near the field. A witness who landed five minutes earlier noted a south-southwest wind of 5–7 kt with slight fluctuations. Observations from nearby stations showed southerly winds with gusts up to 12 kt.
Probable Cause
According to the investigation, it is highly probable that the accident was caused by the glider undershooting and touching down short of the runway due to a large descent rate during final approach. It is somewhat likely that this descent resulted from encountering wind fluctuations, side slipping from rudder operation, or increased drag from airbrake deployment, singly or in combination.