What happened
On 2 August 2021, a LAK 17B-FES/JET MINI glider, registration LY-GRO, crashed during a landing attempt at the Serres-La Bâtie Montsaléon aerodrome in France. The pilot was returning from a cross-country flight and attempted to land on runway 18 despite a northwesterly wind of 7 knots with gusts up to 20 knots.
During the approach, the pilot executed a turn that was too early, resulting in a steep descent and an increase in airspeed to 120 km/ h, which exceeded the recommended 95 km/h. The pilot failed to sufficiently compensate for the wind drift, causing the aircraft to deviate to the left of the runway centerline. In an attempt to correct the flight path and manage the remaining runway distance, the pilot performed a pull-up maneuver. This action caused the airspeed to drop to 85 km/h, leading to a stall and subsequent entry into an autorotation. The glider struck the ground with a nose-down attitude, resulting in the death of the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
The BEA examined the flight data from the onboard LX9000 computer, the wreckage, and the aircraft's configuration. The investigation focused on the pilot's approach profile, the meteorological conditions, and the aircraft's stability. Investigators analyzed the water ballast levels in the vertical stabilizer and the pilot's flight experience. The investigation also reviewed the aerodrome's recommended landing procedures and the pilot's preparation for the flight.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident:
- The pilot's aft center of gravity likely reduced the aircraft's stability; the vertical stabilizer contained seven liters of water, which exceeded the optimal balance for a pilot of the subject's weight.
- Inappropriate flight path management, including an early turn and insufficient consideration of wind drift, left the pilot with inadequate time to stabilize the approach.
- The pilot's relatively low experience level, specifically regarding this high-performance glider type and solo operations at this specific aerodrome, may have influenced the decision-making.
- The pilot's approach speed was excessive, and the decision to land on runway 18 despite the wind conditions contributed to the loss of control during the recovery maneuver.