What happened
On July 2, 2023, a pilot was participating in the "Alexander Makarenko Memorial 2023" gliding competition. The flight involved an Orličan VSO-10 glider, registration OM-9603, departing from LZPT airport. During the competitive task, the pilot encountered worsening weather conditions, specifically thunderstorm activity near Nitra.
As the flight progressed, the pilot's altitude decreased significantly while navigating hilly terrain. By 16:18 UTC, the aircraft was at an altitude of only 123 m AGL. Due to the low altitude and the need to return to the home aerodrome, the pilot decided to perform a forced landing in a field near the village of Klížske Hradište. The pilot attempted to land into the wind; however, encountering a strong downdraft prevented the planned maneuver. Consequently, the glider landed with a tailwind of approximately 40 km/le.
The impact occurred on a braking wheel with full aerodynamic brakes deployed. This resulted in a double bounce that caused extensive damage to the aircraft. The pilot was uninjured during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight path, the meteorological conditions at the time of the event, and the pilot's decision-making process. The board reviewed the aircraft's maintenance records, which showed the glider had undergone a 100-hour/annual inspection shortly before the accident. The investigation also analyzed the physical damage to the Orličan VSO-10, which included a cracked cockpit floor, damaged canopy, and a broken horizontal stabilizer.
Findings
- The pilot underestimated the impact of the deteriorating meteorological conditions and failed to take timely action to avoid the situation.
- The pilot identified a landing site too late in the flight sequence.
- The primary cause was the delayed selection of a suitable landing site and the failure to manage the landing calculations during the forced landing.
- A strong tailwind and a powerful downdraft prevented the pilot from executing a proper headwind approach, leading to a high-speed landing on a braking wheel.