Incident Overview
On October 13, 2005, at approximately 17:30 local time, a Let L-13 Blanik glider, registration I-NOVL, experienced an accident during landing at Novi Ligure Airport (LIMR) in Italy. The aircraft was operated by Aero Club "F. Padova" of Novi Ligure and was on a solo training flight with a single student pilot aboard.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The glider, a Let Bev Kunovice L-13 Blanik, was a metal high-wing two-seater with a maximum takeoff mass of 500 kg. It had accumulated 2,650 total flight hours and held a valid certificate of airworthiness. The student pilot was a 60-year-old Italian male who previously held a glider pilot license that had expired over ten years prior; his total flight hours were not available.
Sequence of Events
The glider departed under tow at 17:20 local time. Before the accident flight, the student had completed a dual-control check flight. The solo flight was monitored from the ground by the director and instructor of the local soaring school.
Approaching to land on runway 18, approximately ten minutes after takeoff, the student initially opened the airbrakes but then closed them, intending to land on the latter part of the runway. When he attempted to reopen the airbrakes, he mistakenly operated the flap lever instead. As a result, the glider continued level flight aerodynamically, passing beyond the runway perimeter fence.
Realizing the error, the student then activated the airbrakes. The glider touched down in a small field beyond the runway, struck a tree with the right wing, yawed to the right, and after hitting a second tree with the left wing, came to a stop. The pilot exited the cockpit uninjured.
Communication and Damage
The school director/instructor reported repeatedly advising the student by radio to extend all airbrakes, but the instructions were not followed in time. The glider sustained serious damage to both wings and the fuselage near the wing attachments. No damage to other property or injuries to persons occurred.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather at the time was characterized by good visibility and calm winds, and was not considered a factor in the accident.
Probable Cause
Inadequate management of the landing maneuver by the student pilot.