What happened
On August 5, 2018, a Carat A touring motor glider, registration D-KRID, departed from Schaffhausen airfield (LSPF) for a private flight under Visual Flight Rules. After approximately three and a half hours of flight, the pilot joined the landing pattern from the north. Before touchdown, the pilot confirmed via radio that the landing gear was extended and the green indication light was illuminated.
The aircraft touched down on the grass runway 07 at a speed between 110 and 115 km/h with the engine at idle and flaps extended. Shortly after contact with the runway, the pilot observed the aircraft developing a slight rightward tilt. This resulted in the right wing striking the ground. The impact caused the aircraft to undergo a ground loop, rotating approximately 180 degrees around its vertical axis before coming to a halt. The pilot exited the aircraft without injury, though one passenger was present on the aircraft but remained uninjured.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the incident. Weather conditions were reported as sunny with temperatures reaching 32 °C and a light to moderate northeast wind of approximately 8 knots.
While the pilot reported the aircraft was in technically sound condition, post-incident inspections revealed that the right main landing gear had rotated backward upon impact. Following the removal of the wings and fairings, investigators identified damage to several components of the right main gear's electro-hydraulic retraction mechanism caused by the landing forces.
Findings
- The right main landing gear sustained damage to its electro-hydraulic retraction mechanism components.
- The incident was caused by a loss of control during the landing phase.