What happened
On May 25, 2014, a VSO-10 glider, registration OK-3514, was participating in the Gradient & CLUB Grand Prix 2014 competition at Mladá Boleslav Airport (LKMB). After completing the competition course, the pilot attempted to join the landing pattern for runway 23.
During the approach, the pilot encountered difficulties extending the retractable landing gear. While focused on resolving this mechanical issue, the aircraft's altitude decreased significantly. The pilot was attempting to land on runway 23 behind a departing tow plane. As the pilot entered the third turn of the pattern, the right wing of the glider struck a metal pole, which was part of a scrap yard structure. The impact, occurring at an altitude of approximately 20.3 meters A употреблении AGL, caused the right wing to break apart. The glider entered a rotation and crashed into a field between parked vehicles. The pilot escaped the wreckage without injury, though the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified and the aircraft was airworthy, with its most recent annual inspection having been completed earlier that year. Flight data from a GNSS flight recorder showed that during the period of the landing gear malfunction, the glider's altitude dropped from approximately 52 meters AGL to 25 meters AGL.
The investigation examined the pilot's actions and the visibility of obstacles. It was noted that the metal pole, constructed of steel tubes, lacked any high-visibility coloring and was the color of corroded steel. The pilot testified that the focus on the landing gear caused a loss of situational awareness regarding altitude and obstacle clearance. Additionally, the investigation found that the pilot had an opportunity to land in a field to the right of the flight path to avoid the obstacle but chose to continue the turn toward the runway.
Findings
- The pilot was distracted by a mechanical issue involving the extension of the retractable landing gear.
- The aircraft descended below the competition's minimum required altitude of 50 meters AGL during the fourth turn.
- The pilot misjudged the situation and attempted to reach the runway at an insufficient altitude, failing to see the metal pole in the flight path.
- The metal pole was not painted with any warning colors, making it difficult to detect against the background.