Factual Information
On June 12, 2007, at approximately 19:25 local time, a PZL-Bielsko SZD-48-3 Jantar Standard glider, registration LY-GCK, was involved in an accident during an off-field landing near Doškonys village, approximately 4 km northeast of Daugai, Alytus district, Lithuania. The glider, operated by Kauno apskrities aviacijos sporto klubas, was on a cross-country flight from Pociūnai via Griškabūdis and Valkininkai, returning to Pociūnai. The pilot, a 50-year-old test pilot employed by AB "Sportinė aviacija", held a valid glider pilot license with instructor qualification and authorization for off-field landings. He had 2,543 total flight hours, with 43 hours in the last 30 days and 23 hours in the last 7 days.
While on the final leg from Valkininkai to Pociūnai, deteriorating soaring conditions forced the pilot to select a landing field. He initially planned to land on a mown meadow near Doškonys. Approaching the field on a heading of 280°, he turned left for a landing on heading 140°. However, due to a tractor and hay rake working in the field, he diverted left and landed parallel to the intended spot on an unmown portion of the field.
After touchdown and rolling about 16 meters, the glider began turning left, then right after another 30 meters. The right wing contacted the grass, and the glider spun suddenly, sustaining structural damage. The fuselage broke aft of the center section; both ailerons, the left stabilizer, and elevator halves were damaged; the left elevator half was torn from the stabilizer. No injuries were reported. No third-party damage was found.
The glider (serial number B-1460, built in 1985) had a valid certificate of airworthiness issued May 9, 2007, and had accumulated 1,400.55 total hours, with 49.57 hours since the last 50-hour inspection.
Weather data from the nearest observation stations (Varėna, 22 km southeast, and Lazdijai, 57 km southwest) indicated west-northwest winds at 5 m/s, visibility 10 km, and scattered cumulus clouds with bases around 600 m. At the time, temperature was about 25–27°C.
The landing field was a relatively flat cultivated meadow approximately 700 m × 600 m, with grass height 30–40 cm and some patches of taller grass. The western part was mown but occupied by workers and equipment. Approaches were good from three sides; the eastern side bordered a 10–15 m high forest. The terrain was firm, elevation 132 m.
No flight data recorders were installed on the glider. Examination of the wreckage and ground marks indicated no significant vertical overload during landing.
Analysis
According to the investigation, the selected field was suitable: large, open on three sides, with mostly even terrain and grass not excessively tall. The landing was made on the southeastern part, where there were slightly larger terrain irregularities. Although the pilot reported no wind, meteorological data from nearby stations showed a westerly wind of about 5 m/s at the time. For a landing on heading 140°, this wind was a tailwind with a right crosswind component of 2–3 m/s. The wind tended to push the glider left after touchdown. When the pilot attempted to correct direction by turning right, the right wing likely dipped and contacted the grass, causing a sudden right turn and structural failure due to overload.
Conclusions
The cause of the glider accident was loss of directional control after touchdown and a sudden spin when the wing contacted the grass. Maintaining directional control was complicated by landing with a tailwind and crosswind component.
No safety recommendations were issued.