What happened
On June 7, 1997, at approximately 17:51 local time, a LAK-12 glider, registration LY-GFO, was involved in an accident in the vicinity of Pociūnai Aerodrome. The aircraft, operated by Biržai Aero Club, was participating in the Lithuanian Open Class Gliding Championship. The flight mission consisted of a large circuit covering 530 km via Gelgaudiškis and Merkinė.
The pilot departed Pociūnai at 11:48 local time. While the first leg of the route was completed without difficulty, the second leg encountered deteriorating weather. After passing over Merkinė at an altitude of approximately 2,000 m, the aircraft entered a rain zone and experienced strong downdrafts. As the glider passed Birštonas, it encountered further intense descending air currents exceeding 5 m/s. Due to these conditions, returning to the original flight path toward Pociūnai was not possible. The pilot attempted an emergency landing on the opposite bank of the Nemunas River but struck an electricity transmission line pylon.
There were no injuries to the pilot. However, the aircraft sustained extensive damage, including a broken left wing spar, deformed control levers, and structural failure of the fuselage and stabilizer. The impact also caused damage to a farmer's crops and a power line support.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the mechanical state of the aircraft. Investigators reviewed the pilot's experience, noting he was a qualified instructor with 633 total flight hours. The aircraft's maintenance records were found to be in compliance with established requirements.