What happened
On the morning of 6 October 2022, an LS1 Glider, registered ZS-GKL, departed from Potchefstroom Aerodrome (FAPS) via an aerotow launch. The flight, conducted under private operations, initially saw the pilot soaring between 8,000 and 14,000 feet above ground level while traveling toward Viljoenskroon.
After approximately four and a half hours of flight, the pilot encountered an area lacking the necessary thermal lift to maintain altitude. Unable to return to the departure aerodrome, the pilot opted to perform a precautionary off-field landing on a private farm located roughly 20 kilometres northwest of Klerksdorp Aerodrome (FAKD). During the landing sequence at 1515Z, the glider's port-side wing caught on maize crops, triggering a ground loop. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's undercarriage and port wing, though the pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
SACAA AIID investigators reviewed the circumstances surrounding the landing and the aircraft's airworthiness status. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid, validated Glider Student Pilot Licence and a current Class 2 medical certificate.
Regarding the aircraft's maintenance, the LS1 Glider had undergone a periodic inspection on 28 September 2022, with only 20 flight hours accumulated since that check. The aircraft's Authority to Fly was also valid at the time of the occurrence. The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the pilot's decision-making process regarding the landing site.