Glider sustains structural damage during emergency landing in Alytus district

Casualties unknown • LT

A glider pilot experienced a loss of control while attempting to avoid tall grass during an off-field landing, resulting in significant structural damage to the aircraft.

What happened

On May 31, 2003, during the eighth stage of the Lithuanian Open Class Gliding Championship at Pociūnai Aerodrome, a SZD-48-3 glider, registration LY-GCN, was involved in an accident near Mikuriškiai village. While returning to the aerodrome, the pilot encountered deteriorating flight conditions and decided to perform an off-field landing at approximately 300 meters altitude.

Upon descending, the pilot observed that the intended landing site consisted of unmaintained, tall grass. In an attempt to avoid this area, the pilot executed a left turn at an altitude of only about 10 meters to reach a field with shorter vegetation. During this maneuver, the aircraft was subjected to significant crosswinds, estimated between 7 and 10 m/s. The pilot failed to close the air brakes in time, leading to a heavy landing with high vertical velocity.

The left wing struck the ground, causing the glider to pivot 90 degrees to the left and skid approximately 25 meters. The aircraft eventually came to a halt after the main wheel became stuck in a ditch. There were no injuries to the pilot.

The investigation

The investigation examined GPS data from a handheld receiver, meteorological reports from nearby stations, and the physical condition of the aircraft. Investigators analyzed the flight path, which showed the pilot deviated from the original course to select the landing site. The investigation also reviewed the wind conditions at the time of the impact, confirming a strong crosswind component that contributed to the lateral movement of the glider during the skid.

Findings

  • The pilot selected an unsuitable landing site for the circumstances.
  • In an attempt to correct the initial error in site selection, the pilot performed a sharp turn at a very low altitude.
  • The pilot failed to control the SZD-48-3 during the flare due to the combination of high vertical speed (caused by delayed air brake closure) and strong crosswinds.
  • The primary cause was pilot error during a complex flight situation created by the sudden change in landing approach.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by pilot error while attempting to manage a complex flight situation; specifically, performing an abrupt turn at low altitude to avoid tall grass while failing to properly control the aircraft against significant crosswinds and high vertical descent rates.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2003-05-31 SZD-48-3 Jantar Standart 3 accident near LT?

A glider pilot experienced a loss of control while attempting to avoid tall grass during an off-field landing, resulting in significant structural damage to the aircraft.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-05-31 involved a SZD-48-3 Jantar Standart 3, registration LY-GCN, at LT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by pilot error while attempting to manage a complex flight situation; specifically, performing an abrupt turn at low altitude to avoid tall grass while failing to properly control the aircraft against significant crosswinds and high vertical descent rates.

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