What happened
On July 4, 2010, a Schleicher K8B glider, registration PH-334, conducted an overland flight after departing Eindhoven Airport via a winch launch. After approximately four hours of flight, the pilot requested clearance to return to the airfield via Boxtel. However, due to diminishing thermal activity, the aircraft lost sufficient altitude that an off-field landing became necessary.
The pilot selected a field west of Sint-Oedenrode for the landing. During the approach, the pilot realized the aircraft was too high and deployed air brakes while performing a slip maneuver to increase the rate of descent. The aircraft landed near the far end of the field. During the landing roll, the left wingtip struck the top of a wall. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate approximately 90 degrees around its vertical axis and resulted in the left wing breaking off about three meters from the tip. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation, based on the pilot's written statement, established that the pilot had initiated the final approach leg too early, leading to excessive altitude. Additionally, the pilot had selected a landing field that was too small for the maneuver and had misjudged the wind direction, which resulted in a landing with a tailwind. The pilot was a 17-year-old holding a valid Glider Pilot Licence with significant experience, including 200 total flight hours.
Findings
- The pilot was flying too high on the final approach leg due to an early turn into the leg.
- The landing field chosen was insufficient in size for the required maneuver.
- The pilot misjudged the wind direction, resulting in a tailwind landing.
- The aircraft sustained heavy damage, specifically the breakage of the left wing.