What happened
On April 27, 2000, a Schleicher ASW 24B glider was returning to the airfield at Oerlinghausen following a local thermal flight. The pilot began the landing sequence from a position approximately 90 meters from the airfield. During the approach, the aircraft was subjected to gusty crosswinds from 90 degrees at speeds between 12 and 22 knots.
While executing a shortened base leg, the pilot attempted a steep right turn to transition to the final approach. During this maneuver, the aircraft was flying at a low altitude over woodland adjacent to the airfield. The glider experienced a loss of lift and entered a side-slip, subsequently striking trees. The impact occurred approximately 400 meters before the runway and 200 meters outside the airfield boundary. The pilot sustained fatal injuries, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The BFU investigation established that the pilot was experienced and held a valid license. The investigation focused on the aircraft's flight path during the landing sequence and the impact of wind conditions on the maneuver. Investigators examined the aircraft's speed and bank angle during the turn, as well as the pilot's estimation of the wind during the approach.
Findings
- The pilot misjudged the wind conditions during the landing sequence.
- Due to the effects of a tailwind component, the aircraft drifted too far southwest over the wooded area.
- The pilot attempted a steep turn at a notably low airspeed.
- The aircraft's airspeed dropped below the stall speed during the high-bank turn.
- The low altitude prevented the pilot from recovering from the stalled condition before the impact.