On June 29, 2024, a LAK-17B FES glider, registration RA-0799A, was involved in a fatal accident near the settlement of Sosnovka in the Bessonovsky District, Russia. The aircraft was being operated by a private individual under a contract with the ANO DPO 'Penzenskiy ASK' DOSAAF for glider towing services at the Penza (Sosnovka) airfield.
Prior to the accident, the pilot-in-command completed a medical examination and performed the final assembly of the glider, including attaching the external wing parts. An earlier flight of the day, conducted by another pilot, had been completed without any reported issues regarding the aircraft's performance. For the solo flight, the aircraft's takeoff weight was approximately 430 kg, which was within the maximum allowable limit of 600 kg, and the center of gravity was within specified limits.
The accident occurred during a flight initiated at 14:10, when the LAK-17B FES, registration RA-0799A, was towed by a Vilga-35A aircraft. The glider was released from the tow plane at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters.
Following the release, the aircraft experienced an in-flight structural failure of the left wing spar. The accident resulted in one fatality.