What happened
On June 1, 2024, at approximately 15:30 UTC, an Alexander Schleicher ASH 25-Mi glider, registration D-KHRL, was performing a local flight at Kongsted (EKKS) under visual flight rules. While circling the aerodrome, the pilot observed a local glider school's training aircraft initiating its landing approach on runway 07.
To maintain separation and allow the training aircraft to land first, the pilot of D-KHRL decided to follow behind the school glider. During this maneuver, the pilot deployed the airbrakes and extended the flaps to the landing position. As the training aircraft landed in the middle of the runway, the pilot determined that the approach angle to land alongside it would be too steep. Consequently, the pilot opted to fly over the training aircraft to land further down the runway.
To extend the approach, the pilot maintained a speed of approximately 100 km/h. As the aircraft passed over the preceding glider, the pilot began the flare at roughly 85 km/h. During this phase, the aircraft sank through from an altitude of about 1.5 meters, resulting in a hard landing. The impact caused the main wheel to dig into the runway surface and be pulled backward, leading to the accident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight parameters, the aircraft's configuration, and the environmental conditions. The pilot noted that the airspeed had dropped from 100 km/h to 85 km/h during the final approach due to the deployment of the flaps. Meteorological reports indicated favorable visibility and light winds from the north at approximately 5 knots.
Technical analysis of the aircraft revealed significant damage to the main wheel suspension, the landing gear deployment mechanism, the main wheel rim, the fuel tank, and the landing gear door frame. Additionally, the brake hose was torn from the brake caliper. No injuries were reported among the crew.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a hard landing caused by the aircraft sinking through the flight path at a low altitude.
- The pilot's decision to fly over the preceding aircraft necessitated a specific approach profile that led to the loss of altitude.
- The deployment of flaps contributed to a reduction in airspeed from 100 km/h to 85 km/h during the final stages of the approach.