What happened
An investigation was conducted into an incident involving an LS8 glider operated by a local gliding club. During the event, a pilot who was not current on single-seater gliders operated the aircraft. While the pilot met the specific club requirements for local flight on the LS8, the existing club protocols failed to account for the pilot's lack of recent experience on this specific aircraft type.
The investigation
The Dutch Safety Board examined the club's operational procedures and its safety management system. The investigation established that the club's method for allocating gliders to members allowed for the use of the LS8 by a pilot without recent single-seater currency. Furthermore, the investigation looked into how the club handles potential aircraft malfunctions and the reporting of minor defects that could impact flight safety.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified during the inquiry. A primary issue was the club's allocation process, which did not consider a member's recent flying experience on specific glider types. Additionally, the investigation found that small defects on a glider can have an adverse effect on flight safety, yet there was a need for better recognition and reporting of occurrences that might imply critical malfunctions. The investigation noted that if doubt exists regarding critical functions, such as those necessary for takeoff, aircraft should be grounded for inspection.
Safety action
The Dutch Safety Board has issued recommendations to the Royal Netherlands Aeronautical Association. The recommendations emphasize that gliding clubs must organize their safety management systems to ensure that potential malfunctions are recognized, reported, and addressed with immediate action. Furthermore, clubs are advised to ensure that the allocation of gliders takes into account the recent flying experience of their members to mitigate risks associated with lack of currency.