What happened
On July 25, 2007, a Rolladen Schneider LS 3-a glider, registration PH-1117, was conducting a local flight near Biddinghuizen. During the return leg, declining thermal conditions forced the pilot to seek an outlanding in a field near Epe. While performing the approach sequence, the pilot realized the main landing gear had not been retracted. Attempting to rectify this while on final approach, the pilot determined that the remaining distance was insufficient to complete the landing safely and decided to execute a 360-degree left turn to reset for a new approach.
During this low-altitude turn, the left wing stalled, causing the aircraft to enter a spin. The glider struck the ground with its nose and main gear, resulting in the fuselage breaking behind the wings and the horizontal stabilizer fracturing in two places. The pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was irreparably damaged.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions during the approach and the mechanical configuration of the aircraft. The pilot reported that the position of the airbrake and flap controls hindered the retraction of the main gear, necessitating a specific sequence of control movements. However, investigators found that the gear lever could move freely if the airbrake and flap levers were secured, contradicting the pilot's claim.
Investigators also examined the flight dynamics during the aborted approach. They determined that the aircraft's configuration, combined with the low airspeed and low altitude, created an unstable environment for the intended 306-degree maneuver.