Slovak glider accident at Janíkovce airfield (OK-3458)

Incident Overview and Aircraft Details On 17 April 2022, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus 2C glider with registration OK-3458 was involved in an accident at LZNI, a public international airfield located near Nitra, Slovakia. The aircraft, manufactured in 2000, was operated by a private individual for general aviation and sport flying. The pilot in command, a 48-year-old Czech national, held a valid sailplane pilot licence and had 1,200 hours of total flight experience, including 144 hours and 30 minutes on the type. ## Flight Sequence and Impact The glider took off at 09:44 UTC for a competitive flight during the Pribina Cup 2022. After completing the required task and reaching the target zone at 15:21 UTC, the pilot initiated an approach to runway 33. Due to a low altitude reserve and a headwind, the pilot elected to use ground effect to maintain a low flight path. Approximately 750 meters before the runway threshold, the left wingtip struck a concrete electrical utility pole at an altitude of about 3 meters. The glider entered a left rotation and impacted the ground at 15:22 UTC, roughly 700 meters short of the runway threshold. ## Damage, Injuries, and Investigation The pilot exited the cabin independently and sustained no injuries. The glider sustained extensive damage to the left wing and a broken fuselage behind the center section, resulting in a total loss. The investigation, conducted by the Slovak Air and Marine Investigation Unit, determined that the accident was caused by an incorrect decision to perform the approach at a low altitude. Meteorological conditions, including clear skies and a 7 m/s wind, were not a contributing factor. No safety recommendations were issued in the final report.