What happened
On August 10, 2025, a GROB-ASTIR CS Jeans glider, registration SE-UGE, was conducting a private flight from Sjöbo-Sövde Airport when unexpected strong winds at altitude prevented the pilot from returning to the home airfield. Facing a loss of altitude and unable to reach the original destination, the pilot prepared for an unplanned out-landing at a field near Snogarp, Skåne.
The pilot selected a landing site that appeared suitable but failed to identify that the field sloped downward in the direction of landing. Additionally, while the pilot estimated the wind to be from the west based on water ripples, the actual wind was from the northwest, creating a significant tailwind component. Due to the tight approach pattern and high altitude, the pilot initiated a very short final approach. To avoid obstacles at the end of the field, the pilot deliberately pushed the aircraft down to force a stop. This resulted in a high-speed touchdown at approximately 130 km/h ground speed. The aircraft bounced, veered, and eventually collided with a horse paddock fence. The impact caused structural damage to the right wing and underside of the aircraft, and the canopy shattered, causing minor injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) examined the aircraft, the site, and flight data from the FLARM unit. The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process, the meteorological conditions, and the physical characteristics of the chosen landing field. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and free of technical defects. Investigators also analyzed the approach profile, noting that the pilot's approach was much tighter than a standard procedure, which significantly narrowed the margin for error during the final descent.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the misjudgment of the conditions required for a safe out-landing, leading to a tight approach under unfavorable circumstances involving a tailwind and excessive altitude.
- The pilot's approach featured a short final that lacked proper height control, leaving no margin to correct the descent.
- The pilot failed to correctly identify the true wind direction and the downward slope of the landing field.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's limited experience, specifically regarding unplanned out-landings.