Factual Information
On 31 May 2014, at 11:30 UTC, a LET L-13A Blaník glider, registration OK-0913, operated by Aeroklub Jičín, was involved in an accident at Jičín Airport (LKJC). The glider was conducting a training flight for landing in a confined area. The crew consisted of a 46-year-old female pilot and a 38-year-old male instructor. Both held valid glider pilot licenses and medical certificates. The pilot had 226 hours and 10 minutes of glider flight time; the instructor had 509 hours and 39 minutes, including 265 hours and 8 minutes as an instructor.
The glider was towed into the air from runway 30 at 11:22 UTC. The instructor designated a touchdown point on the grass area in front of runway 12, near the threshold markers. After release at approximately 300 m AGL, the pilot performed a 360° turn to inspect the landing area. From about 200 m AGL, she began a right-hand circuit for an approach on a heading of approximately 350°. The pilot maintained an indicated airspeed of 80 km/h, extended the landing flaps, and controlled the descent rate using the spoilers. The instructor noted the glider was low and partially closed the spoilers. The glider continued its approach over a rapeseed field, about 150 m from the intended touchdown point. Just before reaching the airfield boundary, the glider suddenly sank from a height of about 2 m above the crop, and the left wing contacted the vegetation. The glider yawed left approximately 90°, struck the ground on its main wheel, slid sideways for about 20 m, and came to a stop facing the opposite direction.
Analysis
The pilot was practicing a landing in terrain with a planned touchdown at the threshold of runway 30. After the fourth turn, she maintained 80 km/h and descended at a steeper angle using spoilers. Approximately 150 m from the touchdown point, the glider was at a low altitude, prompting the instructor to partially close the spoilers. The glider continued with a reduced descent rate, but just before the end of the rapeseed field, it was only about 2 m above the crop. At that moment, a gust of wind caused the glider to sink, resulting in contact between the left wing and the vegetation. The pilot likely did not realize she was landing over an obstacle and did not have sufficient height to clear it safely. The instructor did not react in time to the altitude change and could not prevent the hard landing after the wing strike.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded:
- The crew was fit to fly.
- The glider had a valid airworthiness certificate and was airworthy.
- A sudden wind gust caused the glider to sink, leading to the left wing striking an obstacle.
- At the moment of sinking, the left wing was still over the obstacle.
- The pilot did not maintain a safe height above the obstacle.
- The instructor could not prevent the hard landing.
- All damage resulted from the hard impact with the ground.
The probable cause of the accident was an improperly executed approach for landing in terrain over obstacles.