What happened
On April 12, 2001, a Schleicher ASK 23 glider, registered D-5350, was conducting a local flight departing from Vinon aerodrome. After reaching an altitude of 2,100 meters, the pilot encountered a loss of lift while flying over the Asse valley, resulting in a descent of approximately 900 meters. Unable to locate further updrafts, the pilot decided to terminate the flight and perform a field landing.
The pilot identified a non-listed field as a potential landing site. Approaching from the south, the pilot evaluated the terrain and determined that the field was too narrow to permit a westward approach due to the presence of tree rows on both the northern and southern boundaries. Consequently, the pilot opted for a northward approach. To ensure clearance of the initial row of trees, the approach was initiated at a relatively high altitude.
During the short final phase of the approach, the pilot realized that the field possessed a convex topography. This terrain feature prevented the pilot from decelerating or leveling the aircraft sufficiently, leading to a collision with the trees at the far end of the field.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the topographical challenges of the chosen landing site. Investigators examined the flight path, the meteorological conditions—which were reported as calm with visibility exceeding 10 km—and the pilot's maneuvers during the final approach to the non-listed field.
Findings
- The pilot made a late decision to execute the field landing.
- The selection of the landing site was inappropriate for the aircraft's energy state and the terrain's characteristics.
- The convex nature of the field surface contributed to the inability to stop the aircraft before impact.
- The crash resulted in one injury to the pilot and the total destruction of the Schleicher ASK 23.