What happened
On May 1, 2022, a Rolladen-Schneider LS 4 glider, registration OY-XLM, was participating in a local VFR competition flight departing from Hammer (EKHM). After completing the first waypoint at approximately 1,100 meters altitude, the pilot proceeded toward the second waypoint near Silkeborg.
While flying at roughly 700 meters, the pilot struggled to locate thermal lift. To prioritize finding rising air and increasing altitude, the pilot temporarily set aside the competition objectives. However, after descending to approximately 500 meters without finding thermals, the pilot decided to seek a suitable field for an outlanding.
As a newly certified pilot performing their first outlanding, the pilot sought a flat field with low crops to avoid the risks of uneven terrain or tall grass. The chosen field was approximately 250 meters long, bordered by trees to the north and a small rise or dike separating it from an adjacent field to the south.
During a right-hand approach for a northward landing, the pilot focused on landing short within the field boundaries. While the approach remained stable, the aircraft was released too early. Consequently, the underside of the glider struck the dike, which the pilot had failed to notice during the approach. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained structural damage to the fuselage underside and wing pins.
The investigation
The Danish Accident Investigation Board conducted an initial safety investigation into the event. The inquiry examined the flight path, the pilot's decision-making regarding the outlanding, and the physical damage to the Rolladen-Schneider LS 4. Following the initial assessment, the board concluded no further investigation was required.