What happened
On July 13, 2003, a Glas-Dirks DG-800 S glider, registration PH-1240, was participating in summer competitions during an overland flight originating from Malden. After approximately six hours of flight time, the pilot encountered a lack of thermal lift, necessitating an unplanned outlanding.
The pilot attempted to land in a field characterized by a slight downward slope and a light tailwind. Realizing the aircraft would not come to a complete stop before reaching the end of the available field, the pilot executed a ground loop. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a fence and came to rest in a rear grassy area, rotated 180 degrees from its original heading. The pilot escaped the incident without injury, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage, including a broken fuselage just forward of the fin, damage to the left flaperon, and damage to the landing gear doors.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the decision to land in the field and the subsequent loss of control during the landing phase. The landing site was located approximately 3 to 4 kilometers from the Malden airfield. Investigators examined the pilot's experience level and the competitive context of the flight, noting that while the pilot was highly experienced in glider operations, they possessed limited experience in a competitive environment. The investigation also considered the impact of the pilot's standing in the competition rankings at the time of the event.