What happened
On June 7, 2002, at approximately 16:00, a Grob G102 Astir CS glider, registration F-CFIC, was performing a local flight at the Lyon Corbas aerodrome. Following a second flight of two hours and twenty-five minutes, the pilot joined the traffic pattern for an approach to the unpaved runway 18. During the radio call, the pilot reported a tailwind and stated that the landing gear was extended and locked.
However, witnesses on the ground, including other glider pilots, observed the aircraft in the base leg with the landing gear retracted and the airbrakes extended. As the glider transitioned to the final approach, observers noted that the aircraft was flying at an altitude lower than the standard circuit height. During this final approach, the right wing of the glider struck a stadium light mast located roughly 400 meters from the runway threshold. The impact caused the aircraft to lose stability, leading it to strike the ground in a field approximately 50 meters beyond the obstacle.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration and the pilot's flight path. Investigators examined the pilot's actions during the final stages of the approach, specifically regarding the management of airspeed and altitude. The pilot stated that his attention was primarily focused on maintaining speed and targeting the touchdown point. In an attempt to correct a perceived low altitude, the pilot retracted the airbrakes during the final approach, but this maneuver was insufficient to prevent the collision with the mast.
Findings
The investigation established that the accident was caused by confusion in the use of flight controls and an erroneous perception of the aircraft's final approach trajectory. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.