What happened
On September 24, 2013, at approximately 13:25 UTC, an AVo 68v Samburo motor glider was performing a departure from Mauter．erndorf Airfield in Salzburg, Austria. Following the takeoff from runway 25, the pilot executed a right-hand turn toward the Faningberg mountain. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered the lee side of the mountain, encountering descending air currents.
Despite the application of maximum engine power, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude and entered a steady descent. As the terrain rose ahead of the aircraft, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing on a recently mown field approximately 700 meters northwest of the airfield. During the landing sequence, the left wing of the aircraft struck a treetop at an altitude of approximately 5 meters and subsequently collided with an advertising sign. These impacts caused the aircraft to yaw left, eventually coming to rest at a 45-degree angle relative to the direction of flight near the side of a road. The aircraft sustained total damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight conditions, the aircraft's technical state, and the pilot's departure procedures. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, which confirmed the plane was airworthy and properly maintained. The investigation also analyzed the weight and balance, noting that while the center of gravity was within limits, the total takeoff mass exceeded the maximum allowable limit of 685 kg.
Findings
- The pilot failed to follow the established departure procedure for runway 25, which requires a straight departure over the B99 highway followed by a left-hand turn toward 150 degrees.
- The aircraft entered the lee side of the Faningberg, which created descending air currents.
- The aircraft's takeoff mass was above the maximum allowable limit.
- There were no pre-existing technical defects found in the aircraft.