What happened
On June 12, 2007, at approximately 19:25 local time, a PZL-Bielsko SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard glider, registration LY-GCK, was performing an unplanned landing in the Alytus district near Daugai, Lithuania. The pilot, a flight instructor operating for AB Sportinė aviacija, had selected an improvised landing site in a field near Doškoniai due to deteriorating weather conditions during the final leg of a flight from Valkininkai to Pociūntai.
The pilot initially intended to land on a mown section of the field. However, because a tractor and a rake were operating in the planned touchdown area, the pilot was forced to execute a left turn to land on an unmown portion of the site. After touching down and rolling for approximately 16 meters, the aircraft began to veer left. In an attempt to correct the direction by turning right, the glider's right wing dipped and caught in the tall grass. This caused the aircraft to undergo a sudden, violent rotation, resulting in structural failure.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, meteorological conditions, and the physical state of the aircraft following the excursion. Investigators noted that while the pilot reported calm conditions, meteorological data from nearby stations in Varėna and Lazdijai indicated a west wind of approximately 5 m/s. For a landing heading 140°, this created a quartering headwind from the right side.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure to maintain directional control during the ground roll, leading to a sudden rotation when the right wing struck the grass.
- Maintaining the direction of travel was complicated by the presence of a quartering headwind acting on the aircraft's right side.
- The structural integrity of the fuselage was compromised, specifically the fuselage section behind the center of gravity, along with damage to the ailerons and stabilizer components.