Accident Overview
On 8 July 2021, at 13:01 UTC, a motor glider L 13 SEH Vivat, registration OK-8130, was involved in an accident at Šumperk Airport (LKSU). The aircraft was conducting a training flight with a pilot and an instructor on board. The accident was reported to the Czech Accident Investigation Institute (ÚZPLN) by the Prague Rescue Coordination Centre, the LKSU air traffic service, and subsequently the Police of the Czech Republic.
Flight History
During the final approach for landing on runway 36, the pilot was flying at a higher speed than normal. The instructor warned that the landing would be long and advised deploying airbrakes. The pilot immediately and fully extended the airbrakes. As a result, the motor glider experienced a rapid loss of altitude from approximately 2 to 3 meters above the ground and struck the runway surface hard. After touchdown, the aircraft rolled about 60 meters before stopping.
The pilot stated: "I was flying with the instructor in the vicinity of Šumperk Airport. At the end, I joined the second circuit turn of the left pattern for runway 36. Before leveling off, the instructor warned that we would be long and told me to open the airbrakes. I was startled by his emphasis and opened the airbrakes immediately and fully. The aircraft immediately sank to the ground from a height of about 2 to 3 meters, and the impact caused damage."
The instructor reported: "During landing on RWY 36 LKSU, I warned about a long approach and usage of airbrakes. The pilot reacted by deploying the airbrakes too quickly, causing a rapid sink; I only managed to push the nose down appropriately."
A witness observing the landing noted: "The motor glider deployed airbrakes abruptly during landing on runway 36 and immediately sank. On contact with the runway, the reinforcement grids collapsed, forming a mound of grass and soil, and the landing gear was torn off. Then the aircraft landed on its belly, damaging the propeller, while the engine was at idle. No injuries occurred."
Injuries and Damage
No injuries were reported among the two occupants. The motor glider sustained extensive damage: the main landing gear was torn from its attachments, the lower fuselage was damaged, the propeller was damaged, and the engine stopped abruptly due to impact. No fuel or oil leaks occurred.
The runway surface was damaged approximately 5 meters in length and 0.6 meters in width on the right side of the centerline, where plastic reinforcement tiles were broken by the impact of the aircraft's nose and rotating propeller.
Aircraft Information
The L 13 SEH Vivat is a two-seat, single-engine, high-wing monoplane derived from the L-13 Blaník glider. It is equipped with a Walter Mikron III engine (48 kW) driving a fixed-pitch wooden Hoffmann propeller. The aircraft had a valid certificate of airworthiness and was owned and operated by Aeroklub Josefa Františka, Prostějov.
Personnel Information
The instructor, aged 58, held a valid flight crew license with instructor and glider/touring motor glider ratings. His total flight experience was 1732 hours, with 260 hours on type. The pilot, aged 57, held a valid license with glider and touring motor glider ratings. His total flight experience was 748 hours, with 104 hours on type. Both pilots had valid medical certificates. Breath alcohol tests conducted by police after the accident were negative.
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, the weather was reported as VFR with a light wind. No adverse conditions were noted.
Investigation and Findings
The investigation was conducted by an inspector from the ÚZPLN. The final report was issued on 29 August 2022.
The investigation identified that the pilot deployed the airbrakes during the final stage of the approach, before leveling off, which caused a loss of lift and a sudden descent of the motor glider into the ground.
No safety recommendations were issued.