What happened
On July 20, 2023, a Rolladen-Schneider LS 3-a glider, registration OY-XJY, was participating in a competition flight originating from Arnborg (EKAB). During the flight, the pilot encountered a lack of thermal activity. While the pilot had initially selected a specific field for an outlanding, they decided to deviate from that plan to search for thermals in a nearby area.
Upon reaching the new area, the pilot determined that no thermals were present and that the current altitude was insufficient to return to the previously selected landing site. Consequently, the pilot selected a flat grain field for a necessary outlanding. During the final turn toward the field, the pilot noted that the crop was high, the aircraft was flying at a low altitude, and there was a headwind component. As the pilot attempted to flare, the left wing made contact with the grain, triggering a ground loop of approximately 110 degrees to the left before the aircraft came to a stop.
The investigation
The Danish Accident Investigation Board (Havarikommissionen) conducted an initial safety investigation into the event. The investigation established that the accident occurred under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) in daylight. The investigation concluded without further technical examination, and the case was closed following the release of this statement.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained significant damage during the impact.
- The primary factor leading to the loss of control was the contact between the left wing and the tall grain crop during the flare.
- Environmental and operational factors included a high crop height (approximately 0.5 meters), low flight altitude during the final approach, and the presence of a headwind.