What happened
On August 3, 2021, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus b glider, registration OY-CBX, was participating in a local VFR competition flight departing from Arnborg (EKAB). After completing the first waypoint at approximately 850 meters altitude, the pilot proceeded toward the second waypoint. Throughout the flight, the pilot searched for thermal lift but was unsuccessful.
At an altitude of roughly 550 meters, the pilot began looking for a suitable field for an outlanding while continuing to search for thermals. When no significant lift could be found and no ideal landing site was identified, the pilot decided to land in a field at approximately 180 meters altitude. The chosen site was roughly 400 meters long and bordered by trees, with a motorway located just to the northwest.
During the approach, the pilot experienced stress and failed to account for the wind direction. Following a familiar pattern from their home airfield, the pilot flew a right-hand base leg toward the north. This resulted in a final approach heading east, crossing the motorway with a 10-knot headwind. The pilot landed relatively far into the field but executed a left turn during the landing roll to avoid trees at the end of the field. As the aircraft crossed a gravel road that sat approximately one meter higher than the field, the left wing struck the ground. This caused the glider to enter a left-hand ground loop, coming to a stop a few meters into the adjacent field. There were no fatalities, though one person sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The investigation by the Danish Accident Investigation Board focused on the sequence of the landing and the resulting damage to the aircraft. Physical examination of the OY-CBX revealed damage to the left aileron and visible delamination on the forward attachment of the left wing spar.
Findings
- The pilot's stress and failure to consider wind direction led to an improper approach pattern.
- The aircraft's final approach crossed a motorway in a manner inconsistent with the wind conditions.
- Contact between the left wing and the elevated terrain of a gravel road triggered the ground loop.