Glider accident near Hořice, Czech Republic (OK-2800)

Overview and Aircraft Details On 6 June 2014, the Czech Institute for the Investigation of Causes of Aircraft Accidents (ÚZPLN) investigated an accident involving an L-13A glider, registration OK-2800, owned by AK Hořice. The aircraft, manufactured by Strojírny první pětiletky in Kunovice in 1962, had a total time of 3,173 hours as of 2 November 2014. The glider was airworthy and properly maintained. ## Flight Sequence The pilot, a 52-year-old male with a valid glider pilot license and medical certificate, took off in aerotow behind a Z-142 at 10:33 UTC for a planned thermal flight. After release at approximately 750 m AMSL, the pilot was unable to find rising thermals. He turned back to the departure airfield, LKHC, but encountered descending air during approach, which caused a rapid loss of altitude. Due to insufficient height, he elected to make an emergency landing in a field with tall rapeseed crops about 1 km east of LKHC. ## Accident and Findings During the landing, the glider's tail surfaces were damaged upon contact with the rapeseed crop. The pilot was not injured. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by damage to the tail surfaces from forces exerted during contact with the vegetation. No safety recommendations were issued.