What happened
On November 1, 2014, at approximately 15:10 UTC, a Zlín Z 50LX, registration OK-XRA, was performing a landing at Chrudim Airport during a club event celebrating the end of the flying season. The aircraft was completing a series of aerobatic maneuvers following a solo flight.
During the final approach, the pilot maintained a very shallow descent angle. In an attempt to maintain visibility of a preceding aircraft, the pilot drifted significantly to the left of the runway centerline. Approximately 125 meters from the runway threshold, the Zlín Z and 50LX struck the right wing of an Alexander Schleicher K7 glider, registration OK-8010, which was stationary in the winch glider area prepared for takeoff. The collision caused the propeller of the Zlín to strike the glider's wing, followed by the Zlín's left wing impacting the glider's right wing tip. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the crews involved.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the flight path, the positioning of the aircraft, and the environmental conditions. Investigators reviewed video footage of the landing, which showed the aircraft's approach profile and the moment of impact. The investigation also assessed the pilot's maneuvers, the technical condition of both aircraft, and the visibility conditions, including the position of the sun and the presence of obstacles near the runway.
Findings
- The pilot performed the landing approach at an extremely shallow angle.
- To improve forward visibility of the preceding aircraft, the pilot drifted approximately 22 meters to the left of the runway axis.
- Due to this lateral deviation and the flight profile, the pilot failed to see the stationary glider positioned in the takeoff area.
- The glider was parked in accordance with the airport's operational regulations.
- While the sun was low on the horizon, investigators determined that solar glare was not a contributing factor to the collision.
- The aircraft and glider were both airworthy and properly maintained.
- The collision was caused by the pilot's failure to maintain the proper approach path, leading to the oversight of the stationary obstacle.