What happened
On September 22, 2009, a Centraim 201 B1 glider, registered F-CGMX, was performing a local flight at the Bordeaux Léognan Saucats aerodrome. After approximately thirty minutes of flight, the pilot decided to terminate the flight due to insufficient thermal lift.
While establishing a long final approach for runway 03, the aircraft made contact with the unpaved runway. Upon touchdown, the pilot and passenger heard an abnormal noise. Upon exiting the aircraft, the occupants discovered that the tail boom had fractured. The aircraft sustained significant damage to the tail section as a result of the impact.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances of the landing and the structural integrity of the aircraft. The pilot, who was operating the aircraft from the rear seat, recalled performing a late flare during the landing sequence. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft's center of gravity was within the manufacturer's specified limits, positioned midway between the forward and aft limits.
Technical inspections of the aircraft were also reviewed. It was noted that a service bulletin (BS 201-25) regarding the structural integrity of the fuselage was required to be applied during maintenance visits. The most recent inspection of the aircraft had been conducted by the club's technical manager in February 2009.
Findings
- The primary cause of the structural failure was a hard landing resulting from a late flare.
- The pilot's ability to judge the aircraft's height was compromised because they were operating the aircraft from the rear seat, leading to an erroneous assessment of the altitude during the final stages of the approach.