What happened
On May 18, 2017, at approximately 15:35 UTC, an LS 7 glider, registration OE-5483, was performing a flight in the vicinity of Niederöblarn, Austria. After flying toward Gerlos and Erzberg, the pilot intended to return to the Niederöblarn airfield. However, unable to reach the primary airfield, the pilot decided to perform an outlanding at a field approximately 4 kilometers away.
During the approach to the landing field, the pilot noticed a high-voltage power line. This observation caused a distraction, leading the pilot to overshoot the intended landing area. In an attempt to correct the course, the pilot initiated a left-hand turn to realign with the field. During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck an obstacle at an altitude of approximately 7 meters above the ground, causing the aircraft to crash into dense vegetation near the L 734 road.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) reconstructed the flight sequence through interviews with the pilot. The investigation examined the aircraft's condition, the pilot's credentials, and the environmental factors at the time of the accident. The investigation also included a physical examination of the wreckage to determine if any pre-existing technical failures contributed to the event.
Findings
- The pilot was fully qualified with a valid glider license and possessed significant flight experience, totaling approximately 1,699 hours.
- The aircraft's weight and center of gravity were within permissible limits for the flight.
- No pre-existing technical defects or maintenance issues were found in the LS 7 that could have caused the accident.
- The wreckage showed that all structural damage, including the destruction of the instrument panel and deformation of the fuselage, was consistent with the impact forces of the crash.
- The primary cause of the accident was insufficient altitude during the corrective turn following the distraction caused by the power lines.