What happened
On May 19, 2020, a Schleicher ASW 19 B glider, registration OY-XJL, was involved in a landing accident at True Svæveflyvebane. The flight was a private local VFR operation. After completing a launch, the pilot sought thermals but, finding none, transitioned to a landing on runway 27.
During the final approach, the aircraft flew over a treeline located approximately 15 to 20 meters above the runway threshold. Following this passage, the pilot's nose pitch was lowered, resulting in a steep descent. The aircraft struck the runway approximately 60 meters past the eastern boundary in a nose-down attitude of roughly 30 to 45 degrees. The impact caused the nose section to skid forward, followed by the cockpit and landing gear, and eventually the tail section hitting the ground heavily. The aircraft sustained serious damage, including structural failures in the fuselage, canopy, and landing gear housing.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight path, meteorological conditions, and the pilot's training status. Investigators analyzed the ground speed, which averaged 95 km/h, and the sink rate, which averaged 6 m/s. The investigation also reviewed the club's safety briefings, which had specifically addressed the risks of wind gradients and turbulence caused by the nearby treeline during high winds.
Technical analysis of the aircraft's performance suggested that while the pilot was flying at speeds well above the stall threshold, the geometry of the impact indicated a lack of sufficient flare. The investigation also looked into whether the pilot intentionally increased the descent rate to compensate for perceived changes in wind or to manage speed.
Findings
- The pilot utilized a relatively steep approach angle under the prevailing weather conditions.
- The aircraft passed through a known area of turbulence and wind shear caused by a treeline just before the runway.
- The landing was characterized by insufficient flare before touchdown.
- The aircraft struck the ground in a steep, downward-facing attitude of 30-45 degrees.
- A combination of local topography, wind gradients, and the aggressive descent angle contributed to the accident.