What happened
On September 8, 2023, a Scheibe SF 25 C motor glider was performing training circuits at Straubing airfield. After completing several circuits in an ultralight aircraft, the pilot transitioned to the motor glider to continue flight training.
The aircraft departed from runway 09 at 15:23 local time. The first circuit, which included a touch-and-go maneuver, proceeded normally and concluded with a landing at 15:27. During a subsequent circuit, the pilot was on the final approach for runway 09. At this stage, the pilot received wind information from the AFISO indicating a wind of 080° at 4 knots.
During the base leg, the pilot realized the aircraft was too high for the intended touchdown point. To increase the descent rate, the pilot deployed the spoilers and initiated a sideslip maneuver. While the pilot attempted to manage the descent, the aircraft struck the ground 26 meters before the paved runway surface, approximately 184 meters before the runway threshold. The impact occurred with the aircraft in a nose-down attitude of approximately 25 degrees.
The investigation
The BFU investigation focused on the sequence of the landing approach and the condition of the aircraft. Investigators examined the aircraft's flight logs, radio communications, and the physical wreckage. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training background and medical certification.
Physical examination of the Scheibe SF 25 C revealed significant damage to the fuselage, specifically in the engine and forward cockpit area, and the landing gear legs were bent backward. The right wing had detached from the fuselage and was buckled forward, while the propeller blades were broken. The investigation confirmed that the spoilers were fully extended at the time of the accident and found no mechanical defects in the flight controls or engine performance. Meteorological conditions at the time were reported as CAVOK with light winds.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to correct an excessive altitude during the approach by using a sideslip maneuver and deploying spoilers.
- The aircraft struck the ground significantly short of the runway threshold.
- The pilot sustained serious injuries, including a pelvic fracture, spinal fracture, and traumatic brain injury.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage, and the impact caused ground damage to the airfield area.