What happened
On September 22, 2012, at approximately 14:28 UTC, a Scheibe SF 25C motor glider was performing circuit training at Zell am See Airport, Austria. The flight was part of a private pilot training program, with a flight instructor and a student pilot on board.
During the second landing of the session, the aircraft experienced a hard touchdown followed by a bounce. The flight instructor took control of the aircraft, but the motor glider drifted to the right and struck a taxiway. The aircraft then pivoted approximately 180 degrees, sliding backward toward Hangar 3. During this uncontrolled movement, the right wing passed underneath the wing of a parked Cessna 414 without making contact with the stationary aircraft. The sequence concluded when the tail of the motor glider collided with a closed hangar door. No injuries were reported, though the aircraft sustained extensive damage to its fuselage, wings, tail unit, and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the crew's actions. Investigators noted that the ground was damp and the aircraft surfaces were covered in raindrops. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training objectives, specifically noting the student's intent to perform a "positive landing" as instructed by the instructor. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was within its weight and balance limits and that all required maintenance was up to date.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control near the ground.
- Contributing factors included uncertainties regarding flight management during the landing phase, specifically whether the instructor's intervention was too late or ineffective.
- The aircraft's low airspeed following the bounce contributed to the loss of directional control.
- The damp surface of the runway and the presence of water on the wings likely caused the right wing to dip during the touchdown.
- The failure to use headsets due to a technical defect increased the difficulty of communication and potentially increased stress levels during the training flight.