Accident Sequence
On June 1, 2024, at 15:30 UTC, a privately operated Alexander Schleicher ASH 25-Mi glider, registration D-KHLR, was involved in an accident during landing on runway 07 at Kongsted airfield (EKKS). The glider had been conducting a local flight from EKKS.
According to the pilot, the glider was circling in the vicinity of the airfield together with a school glider from the local gliding club. The pilot decided to commence the approach to land. While turning towards the runway, the pilot observed the school glider turning to land ahead. To give way, the pilot chose to fly behind the school glider and approach after it. The pilot extended the airbrakes and lowered the flaps to the landing position.
The school glider landed in the middle of the landing area, which, in the pilot's assessment, made the angle for landing beside it "a bit steep." The pilot then decided to fly over the school glider and land further down the runway. The pilot retracted the airbrakes and flew at a speed of approximately 100 km/h to lengthen the approach. The glider passed over the school glider and the pilot began the flare at approximately 85 km/h. The glider sank through from a height of about 1.5 meters and landed hard on the runway.
The main wheel sank into the runway surface, was pulled backward, and the glider was damaged. The accident occurred in daylight under visual meteorological conditions (VMC).
Aircraft Information
The glider was an Alexander Schleicher ASH 25-Mi, a two-seat motorglider with a single Wankel IAE 50 R-AA engine. According to the flight manual, the recommended final approach speed was 90 km/h (marked with a yellow triangle on the speed indicator). The stall speed was 74 km/h at maximum takeoff and landing mass with flaps extended to the landing position.
The pilot subsequently assessed that the airspeed during the final approach decreased from 100 km/h to 85 km/h as a result of the flaps being extended to the landing position.
Damage
The glider sustained substantial damage. The following components were damaged:
- Main gear suspension
- Main gear retraction mechanism
- Main wheel rim
- Fuel tank
- Frame around the main gear doors
- Brake hose was torn from the brake caliper
Superficial damage occurred to the runway surface.
Meteorological Conditions
Aeronautical routine weather reports (METAR) from Ringsted (EKRS) and Roskilde (EKRK) were available. EKRS was located approximately 14 nautical miles (nm) northwest of EKKS, and EKRK approximately 20 nm north. The pilot assessed the wind conditions at EKKS as northerly at approximately 5 knots.
Investigation
The Accident Investigation Board for Civil Aviation and Railways (Havarikommissionen) received notification of the accident from the Danish Gliding Union (DSvU) at 16:27 UTC on June 1, 2024. After a preliminary safety investigation, and with reference to Article 5 of EU Regulation No. 996/2010 and Section 138 of the Danish Aviation Act, the Board decided not to conduct further safety investigations. With reference to Article 16 of EU Regulation No. 996/2010 and Section 143 of the Danish Aviation Act, the safety investigation was closed with this statement.