What happened
On May 19, 2024, a Rolladen-Schneider LS-4 glider, registration OY-MXS, was conducting a maintenance training flight near Slaglille (EKSL). The flight was being operated by a 16-year-old student pilot who had completed practical training but was awaiting final theoretical certification.
After approximately three hours of flight time in the vicinity of Sorø and Slagelse, the pilot realized the aircraft lacked sufficient altitude to reach the Slaglille aerodrome. Following a pre-flight briefing that emphasized staying within gliding distance of the airfield, the pilot attempted to navigate toward EKSL but ultimately determined an emergency landing in a field was necessary. The pilot selected a long wheat field north of Sorø for the landing.
As the aircraft progressed along the landing strip, it encountered a ditch or embankment that was not visible from the air. Impacting this obstacle at approximately 70 km/h caused the glider to roll, resulting in significant structural damage to the underside of the fuselage and cracks in the main wheel housing.
The investigation
The Danish Accident Investigation Board (Havarikommissionen) conducted an initial safety investigation into the event. The inquiry focused on the flight path, the conditions of the landing site, and the mechanical state of the aircraft following the impact. The investigation confirmed that the accident occurred under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) in daylight.
Findings
- The pilot was performing a training flight intended to maintain proficiency.
- The aircraft was unable to reach the intended destination due to insufficient altitude.
- The pilot successfully identified a suitable landing site in a wheat field.
- The primary cause of the structural damage was the unseen ditch/embankment encountered during the landing roll.
- The impact resulted in one serious injury to the pilot.