What happened
On September 3, 1967, a Spalinger-22 glider, registration HB-276, was involved in a ground accident at a military airfield. The flight was a 40-minute duration session, marking the second training flight for a student pilot transitioning to this specific aircraft model. As the student pilot attempted to land the glider near a hangar, the aircraft overshot the intended landing area. During this maneuver, the glider struck a concrete post.
The investigation
An investigation into the incident established the sequence of the landing attempt and the physical circumstances of the impact. The inquiry focused on the flight path during the final approach and the subsequent contact with the airfield infrastructure. The investigation confirmed that the pilot remained uninjured following the collision.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a landing that was too long, leading the aircraft off the intended path.
- The impact with the concrete post resulted in extensive damage to the Spalinger-22.