What happened
On June 13, 1995, during the Lithuanian Open Gliding Championships at Panevėžys Aerodrome, a LAK-12 glider, registration LY-GDI, experienced an accident following an initial forced landing. The glider, being operated by a solo pilot, had previously landed near the village of Krekenava due to a thermal crisis encountered during a flight pattern between Panevėžys and Ramygala.
To recover the aircraft, a Vilga-35A powered aircraft, registration LY-AJP, arrived at the site to perform a winch-style retrieval. After the glider was attached to the powered aircraft at an altitude of approximately 15 meters, the flight began. However, after flying roughly 400 meters, the glider began to veer sharply to the right. Unable to maintain control, the pilot released the tow line. The glider continued to fly for another 250 meters before striking the ground with its right wing and subsequently spinning into the earth. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained 10 structural fractures.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the conditions of the retrieval site and the mechanics of the flight deviation. Investigators examined the state of the field where the glider had landed and the impact of the propeller wash from the towing aircraft during the takeoff phase.