Incident Overview
On 18 April 2009, at approximately 18:24 local time, a LAK-12 glider (registration LY-GDI) operated by the Kaunas District Aviation Sports Club was damaged during a forced landing in a ploughed field in the Prienai district. The pilot, a 29-year-old Lithuanian citizen holding a student pilot license, was uninjured. The glider sustained substantial structural damage.
Flight History
The pilot departed from Pociūnai aerodrome at 13:23 local time for a flight in the aerodrome area. After approximately five hours of soaring, while approaching the aerodrome from upwind near Jieznas, the glider entered a strong sink area and rapidly lost altitude. The pilot decided to land in a field located directly before the Nemunas River. During a downwind turn at low altitude (reportedly about 30 meters), the glider lost speed, entered a sink, and the right wing contacted the ground. The glider then struck the field with its nose and slid to a stop. The pilot stated that he made the decision to land in the field too late.
Injuries and Damage
No injuries occurred. The glider sustained major damage: the fuselage nose section and right side were fractured, the right wing spar failed, the left stabilizer and elevator were damaged, the rudder was torn off, and the right aileron attachment points were broken. The right wing and canopy detached from the glider.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a student pilot license that authorized him to fly only L-13 and "Puchač" type gliders. However, an unauthorized endorsement for single-seat gliders had been entered by the club's instructor. The pilot had a total flying experience of 163.5 hours, including 54.51 hours on single-seat gliders. He had only 3.38 hours on the LAK-12 type, and the accident flight was his second flight in this type. He held a valid Class 2 medical certificate.
Glider Information
The LAK-12 "LIETUVA" (serial number 6163) was manufactured in 1990 by AB "Sportinė aviacija". It had accumulated 798.10 total flight hours. The last major inspection was on 12 May 2008, and the last periodic maintenance was on 5 April 2009. The glider had a valid special airworthiness certificate, though its expiry date was 14 June 2008 (with an inspector's note extending to 14 May 2009).
Meteorological Conditions
According to radio communication between the pilot and the aerodrome coordinator, weather at Pociūnai aerodrome during the approach was good, with wind from the north at 5 m/s.
Accident Site
The glider touched down in a ploughed and rolled field approximately 3 km from the aerodrome on the opposite side of the Nemunas River. The first ground contact was by the right wingtip. The glider slid 19 meters before the nose struck the ground, then continued another 16 meters before stopping.
Safety Factors
The pilot was wearing his seatbelt, which may have helped prevent injury.
Investigation Conclusions
The investigation determined that the pilot was not properly licensed to fly single-seat gliders. The club management had unlawfully endorsed the student pilot license and tolerated flights without a proper glider pilot license. The pilot turned for landing at an unsafe low altitude, and the landing would have been downwind.
Probable Cause
The glider accident was caused by the pilot's late decision to land in the field and turning at an unsafe altitude.