What happened
On December 26, 2021, a Schleicher ASK-18-AR glider, registered as LV-DBH, was conducting a general aviation training flight originating from Aeródromo Gómez. During the cruise phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced a loss of altitude. Unable to maintain sufficient height to return to the departure aerodrome, the pilot was forced to perform an unplanned landing in a rural area of La Plata, Buenos Aires. The aircraft came to rest in a field, and while the incident involved an unplanned landing, there were no injuries reported for the crew.
The investigation
The Argentine Transportation Safety Board (JST) reviewed the circumstances surrounding the flight. The investigation focused on the flight path, the aircraft's performance during the altitude loss, and the conditions at the time of the landing. Investigators examined the technical state of the Schleicher ASK-18-AR and the environmental factors present during the operation in the La Plata region.
Findings
The investigation concluded that the primary factor in the event was the loss of altitude during the cruise phase, which prevented the pilot from completing the intended circuit back to Aeródromo Gómez. Because the aircraft sustained no damage and the event did not pose a threat to operational safety, the authorities determined that no further technical investigation was required.