What happened
On 16 December 2014, a private cross-country gliding flight departing from Douglas aerodrome in Kimberley, Northern Cape, resulted in an aircraft accident. The pilot, a Czech Republic national, was operating a Discus 2CT Glider with registration OM8118. After a successful launch and release from a tow aircraft, the flight proceeded under visual meteorological conditions.
Approximately seven hours into the mission, while navigating near Postmansburg at 12,000 ft AMSL, the aircraft became aerodynamically ineffective. Unable to sustain its altitude, the pilot was forced to execute an emergency landing. The pilot selected a public gravel road approximately 75 nautical miles west of the departure aerodrome for the landing. During the maneuver, the left wing of the Discus 2CT Glider struck a roadside information sign, causing damage to the wing structure. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
SACAA AIID examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of altitude and the subsequent impact. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid gliding license and the aircraft possessed a valid authority to fly. The aircraft's maintenance records showed it had undergone its annual inspection seven hours prior to the event.
Technical examination of the OM8118 revealed no mechanical anomalies or defects in the aircraft's systems. The investigation also reviewed meteorological data, noting that while the departure conditions were favorable, the flight path encountered a lack of necessary thermal activity. The investigation concluded that the impact with the road sign was a secondary event occurring during the attempt to land safely.