What happened
On August 18, 2009, a Discus 2b glider, registration PH-1210, was conducting a cross-country flight when the pilot was forced to perform an outlanding near Wehl. After approximately four hours of flight, a lack of sufficient thermal activity caused the aircraft to lose altitude, prompting the pilot to select a nearby field for landing. The chosen landing area, measuring roughly 300 by 150 meters, was obstructed by a farm and several trees located approximately 100 meters from the field's edge.
During the final approach, the pilot attempted to correct a low airspeed following the final turn before the flare. While utilizing significant flap settings, the pilot noted that the aircraft's speed became excessive. Despite applying full braking and maintaining high flap settings, the glider could not be stopped within the available space. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 40 meters before the end of the field. The nose of the aircraft collided with a wooden post at a speed of roughly 30 to 40 kilometers per hour before sliding into tall reeds. The momentum caused the nose to pitch over a dry ditch, leaving the cockpit and main wheel suspended over the edge.
The investigation
The investigation, based on the pilot's written statement, established that the pilot was flying solo and held a valid Glider Pilot License. The investigation examined the flight conditions, noting that visibility was excellent (over 10 kilometers) and the wind was calm, contrary to the pilot's expectation of a light headwind. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's condition following the impact, which resulted in heavy damage to the airframe, including a cracked canopy, a broken fuselage approximately two meters forward of the stabilizer, and various damages to the wings and nose.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was excessive airspeed during the landing flare, which prevented the pilot from stopping the aircraft within the boundaries of the chosen field.
- The pilot attempted to correct an initial low-speed condition, which inadvertently led to an approach that was too fast for the available landing distance.
- The lack of sufficient thermal lift necessitated the unplanned outlanding.
- The pilot sustained no significant injuries, aside from a minor laceration to the forehead.