Factual Information
Flight History
The glider, operated by the Kaunas region aviation sports club, departed Pociūnai aerodrome at 12:48 local time on May 31, 2003, for an open-class gliding competition task. The route was Pociūnai—Bagrėnas, Lukšiai, Liškiava zones—Pociūnai. While returning from the Liškiava zone, soaring conditions deteriorated. After passing Alytus, due to lack of altitude, the pilot selected a field near Mikuriškiai village, 6 km north of Alytus and 21 km from Pociūnai aerodrome, at approximately 300 m altitude. Descending further, the pilot realized the field had tall grass and, wanting to avoid landing in tall grass, turned left at low altitude towards an area with shorter vegetation. The glider touched down with a high vertical speed, drifting sideways. After touchdown, the left wing contacted the ground, the main wheel frame broke, and the glider yawed left about 90°, slid 25 m, then yawed another 90° after the main wheel caught a ditch, stopping at 17:34.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries to the pilot or other persons. The glider sustained damage: main wheel frame fractured; main wheel well covers deformed; hook cavity trim damaged; stabilizer rear attachment bracket broken; stabilizer structure deformed including forward attachment; lower stabilizer shell cracked at fin attachment; fin top stringer damaged; fuselage lower shell deformed and cracked near tailwheel; fuselage shell cracked near baggage hatch; canopy deformed and latches damaged; canopy glass cracked.
Pilot Information
Male, 21, Lithuanian, glider license SK180 issued 15 Sep 1999, valid to 17 Sep 2004. Medical certificate No. 935 valid to 11 Nov 2003. Last proficiency check 31 Aug 2002. Last check for field landing technique 17 Sep 2000. Total flight time 263.09 hours, 65.57 in last 90 days, all on SZD-48-3.
Glider Information
SZD-48-3 Jantar-Standard-3, registration LY-GCN, serial B-1284, manufactured May 1983 by PZL Bielsko. Total flight time 1365.07 hours, remaining life 134.53 hours. No repairs.
Meteorological Information
At Varėna (42 km southeast) at 18:00: cloud base 600 m, visibility 10 km, wind 270° at 7.5 m/s, temperature 24°C. At Lazdijai (42 km southwest): wind 280° at 10 m/s. At Kaunas airport (54 km north) at 17:50: wind 260° at 8 m/s. The pilot reported west wind at 35 km/h (approx. 10 m/s).
Landing Field
Coordinates N 54°27.986', E 024°00.842'. The field consisted of several plots with different crops and heights. The landing track was in a first-year meadow with plowing furrows, ending in a ditch. Crop height 15-20 cm. Adjacent field to the north had 40-50 cm grass, partially mowed on the inspection day. Another field behind had crop height 20-30 cm. Approaches open from all sides. Field elevation 101 m.
Additional Data
Portable GPS data provided flight path information.
Analysis
Based on GPS data, the glider deviated from course to Pociūnai and turned towards the field at an altitude of 284-299 m, consistent with the pilot's statement of selecting the field at about 300 m. The selected field was unsuitable, possibly due to the pilot's limited experience in field selection. The subsequent flight continued on course 310° for a straight-in landing. At low altitude, the pilot saw tall grass and turned left at about 10 m altitude to aim for shorter vegetation. The glider landed hard, turned 90° left, and slid sideways about 25 m. The slide course was about 45° less than the landing course. At the end of the slide, the main wheel entered a ditch, causing another 90° left yaw.
Weather data indicate wind at 270°-280° at 7-10 m/s, consistent with pilot's report of westerly wind 35 km/h. With the glider aligned on course 230° (parallel to the tall grass field), the wind became a headwind with a right crosswind component of 40°-50°, lateral component 6.5-7.7 m/s. The slide course being less than landing course indicates the glider was drifting left. The pilot stated the glider touched down with high vertical speed due to late closure of airbrakes. The main wheel frame failed from high lateral load. After left wing contacted ground, the glider yawed left. The subsequent sideways impact with the ditch caused further structural damage. In the complex situation of a sudden landing site change, an 80° left turn at low altitude with airbrakes deployed and strong crosswind, the pilot made a piloting error and lost control of the glider.
Conclusions
The pilot was properly certified. He selected an unsuitable landing field. Attempting to correct the error, he landed while turning at low altitude. During the flare in a crosswind, he was unable to control the glider.
Cause: Piloting error during landing at the field in a complex flight situation.