What happened
On July 24, 2021, a pilot was conducting a type conversion training flight in an Elan Torvana DG-300 ELAN, registration OY-SLX, at Maribo Airport (EKMB) in Denmark. The flight was intended to be a solo session following a successful theoretical review with an instructor. During the approach, the pilot encountered turbulence and increased headwinds, which prompted the use of air brakes. However, due to the different control characteristics of this specific model, the air brakes were not fully extended.
As the aircraft approached the landing area, the pilot identified a parked glider positioned near the touchdown zone. To prevent a collision with the stationary aircraft, the pilot increased the nose pitch, which resulted in a significant loss of airspeed. After passing the parked glider at an altitude of only 4 to 5 meters, the pilot attempted to correct the low speed by pushing the control stick forward. This maneuver caused an increased sink rate that the pilot could not arrest in time, leading to a hard impact with the runway approximately 20 meters past the parked aircraft. The impact caused the landing gear to collapse and penetrate the wheel well.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's training status, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed flight data from the aircraft's FLARM recorder, which provided precise information regarding ground speed and altitude. The investigation also looked into the airport's operational procedures, specifically regarding the clearing of the landing area and radio communications between aircraft at the aerodrome.
Findings
- The pilot was operating a new aircraft type with different flight characteristics and air brake mechanisms compared to their previous experience.
- The pilot's training status was noted to be in a transitional phase.
- The landing area was not fully cleared of obstacles, as a glider remained parked near the intended touchdown point.
- The pilot's decision to land short of the parked aircraft, rather than utilizing the available runway space to the right, reduced the margin for error.
- The pilot's maneuver to avoid the parked aircraft caused a critical loss of airspeed and an unrecoverable sink rate.
- The air brakes were not fully deployed during the final approach due to the effort required to overcome the mechanism's over-centering force.