What happened
On August 9, 1994, an L-13 Blanik glider, registration LY-GBT, was involved in an aviation incident while operating under the Kaunas Aeroclub. During the flight, the pilot lost altitude and became unable to reach the aerodrome. Consequently, the pilot was forced to perform a landing at an unprepared field selected from the air. The impact of the landing resulted in structural damage to the aircraft, specifically a deformed forward fuselage section and a deformed left wing console approximately 2 meters from the wingtip.
The investigation
The investigation established that the pilot was unprepared for the necessity of selecting an emergency landing site while airborne. Furthermore, the inquiry identified several organizational and training deficiencies. It was noted that the flight organization level was inadequate and that the flight leader failed to provide sufficient oversight for pilots with low experience levels. Additionally, the investigation highlighted a lack of proper training regarding the decision-making process for inexperienced pilots, specifically concerning the refusal to utilize alternative landing sites in favor of attempting to return to the aerodrome.
Findings
- The primary cause was the pilot's inability to manage the flight situation and the selection of an unsuitable landing site due to a lack of preparedness.
- The pilot demonstrated insufficient professional training and personal lack of discipline regarding emergency procedures.
- There were deficiencies in the flight organization and inadequate supervision of inexperienced pilots by the flight leader.
- Training programs lacked specific instruction for pilots not authorized for certain routes on how to handle unplanned landings outside of aerodromes.
Safety action
The investigation recommended an update to the glider pilot training program. The new curriculum must include a supervised check flight to a landing site located outside the aerodrome boundaries. This requirement is intended to ensure that pilots are capable of performing safe, unplanned landings in remote areas during independent flight operations.