What happened
On October 26, 2002, a Grob 103 C glider, registration I-IVVW, was performing a local training flight at Alzate Brianza Airport. After being towed for takeoff, the pilot searched for thermals but, finding none, decided to return to the airfield.
During the approach, the pilot entered the circuit at a lower-than-optimal altitude. Due to being in a lee-side position, the pilot anticipated the base turn and bypassed the standard spoiler check to avoid losing further altitude. Consequently, the glider approached the runway threshold with excessive altitude, high speed, and a misaligned heading. In an attempt to bleed off altitude and speed, the pilot pulled the aircraft up but inadvertently operated the trim lever instead of the spoilers, which are located just below it. This error led to a severe loss of flight control, causing the glider to impact the ground in the grass adjacent to the runway.
The investigation
The ANSV investigation focused on the flight sequence and the pilot's actions during the landing phase. The investigation examined the cockpit configuration, specifically the proximity of the spoiler and trim levers, and reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot had relatively limited experience, with only 59 total flight hours and ten months of glider licensure.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with non-standard flight parameters caused apprehension, leading to the omission of critical pre-landing checks.
- The incorrect operation of the trim lever instead of the spoilers was the primary factor in the loss of control.
- The pilot's decision to skip the spoiler check while in a lee-side position contributed to the unstable approach.
The pilot sustained serious injuries with a three-month prognosis, and the aircraft suffered significant damage, including a broken canopy and the total detachment of the tail assembly.