What happened
On April 4, 2014, a student pilot was conducting her first solo flight after a winter break at Hodkovice nad Mohelkou airport (LKHD). Following two successful instructional flights earlier that day, the pilot proceeded with a planned solo training circuit in an Alexander Schleicher, AS-K13 glider, registration OK-0419.
During the landing phase, the aircraft was approaching the runway at an excessive speed of approximately 120 km/h. While performing a steep descent with the airbrake spoilers fully extended, the pilot misjudged the altitude for the flare. This error caused the glider to bounce, reaching an altitude of 2 to 3 meters above the ground.
In an attempt to correct the situation, the pilot closed the airbrake spoilers but failed to react promptly to the resulting climb. As the aircraft gained altitude and lost airspeed, the pilot applied sudden, heavy forward pressure on the control stick. This maneuver resulted in a hard impact of the aircraft's nose with the ground. The impact caused the fuselage to oscillate, leading to a secondary impact of the tailwheel, which deformed the rear bulkhead structure.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation established that the pilot was fully qualified and medically certified for flight. The aircraft was also found to be airworthy, with its most recent annual inspection having been completed in June 2013. The investigation confirmed that while an instructor was monitoring the flight via radio, the rapid nature of the sequence of events prevented him from intervening to correct the pilot's actions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's incorrect reaction to the aircraft bouncing during the landing maneuver.
- An excessive approach speed of approximately 120 km/h contributed to the difficulty of the landing.
- The pilot's decision to close the airbrakes without properly managing the resulting climb led to the subsequent nose-down impact.
- The aircraft sustained significant damage, including a broken cockpit floor and structural deformation to the rear fuselage.
- The pilot sustained spinal injuries and was transported to the hospital by emergency services.