Event Description
On 23 October 2010, at approximately 09:17 UTC, a VSO-10 glider, registration OM-5607, departed from Mikulovice Airport (LKMI) on an aerotow behind a Z 42 aircraft. The flight was conducted as part of the international gliding competition "Vlnový kemp 2010" (Wave Camp 2010). The pilot, a 65-year-old male with a valid glider pilot license and instructor rating, had a total of 1,012 hours of glider flight time, including 318 hours on the VSO-10.
During the tow, the glider encountered turbulence at 1,300 m AMSL near Jeseník. The pilot attempted to release the tow rope but initially could not due to tension. After release, he believed the tow rope had broken. He then attempted to connect to wave lift but was unsuccessful. Assessing that he did not have sufficient altitude to return to LKMI, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing on a field at Bukovice, located 11 km southwest of LKMI.
During the landing approach, the glider struck a 22 kV overhead power line. The left wing contacted the wires at an estimated height of 10–12 m above ground. The impact severed a 5.9 m section of the left wing. The glider then hit the ground, nose-first, and inverted. The pilot, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries and was assisted by witnesses. Emergency services including an ambulance, police, and fire brigade arrived at the scene.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The VSO-10 is a single-seat glider of mixed construction, manufactured by Orličan n.p. in 1975. It had a valid airworthiness certificate and maintenance release. The glider was destroyed in the accident; the cost of repairs was not reported.
The pilot had 2 hours and 8 minutes of flight time in the 90 days preceding the accident. He held a valid medical certificate. Toxicology tests were not mentioned in the source.
Meteorological Conditions
According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the weather was mostly clear with no precipitation. Visibility was greater than 10 km. Wind was from 210°–250° at 10–12 kt, with gusts up to 30 kt. At 2,000 ft AGL, wind was 210°/15 kt; at 5,000 ft AMSL, 230°/20–25 kt. Moderate mechanical turbulence was present. Cumulus and stratocumulus clouds were scattered at 4,500–5,000 ft AGL, with higher altocumulus at 8,000–10,000 ft AMSL. METAR reports from Šerák station indicated a strong southerly flow with gusts up to 70 kt.
Accident Site and Damage
The emergency landing field Bukovice is a gently sloping agricultural area at an elevation of 470 m. Along its western edge runs a 22 kV overhead power line. The top wire was 12 m above ground; the lower wire was 10 m above ground. The glider came to rest inverted 15.9 m behind the power line. The nose section was destroyed, and the canopy was broken. The left aileron was fractured, and the left spoiler was torn off. Electrical discharge marks were found on the left wing's lower surface. The power line sustained no damage, but a short circuit occurred and was repaired by utility workers.