What happened
On June 5, 2016, a pilot was conducting a thermal flight near Hodkovice Airfield (LKHD). While flying northwest of the airfield, the pilot observed significant cloud development to the east. To avoid the risk of having to land in difficult terrain, she decided to return to the airfield at increased speed.
As the pilot entered the landing pattern for runway 19, a rapidly developing thunderstorm overtook the area. The aircraft entered intense rainfall, which caused the pilot to lose visual contact with the runway. Simultaneously, powerful wind gusts pushed the VSO-10 glider off the airfield perimeter to the west.
Finding herself unable to fly back toward the runway due to a strong headwind that reduced her groundspeed below her rate of descent, the pilot attempted to land on a steep, wooded slope used for paragliding. The glider struck the ground with its tail section first, causing the tailwheel fairing to break off, before the fuselage impacted the slope with the nose facing upward. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the impact.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the pilot's flight path, and the aircraft's condition. Radar data and local weather station records confirmed that a powerful thunderstorm cell had activated east of the airfield and moved westward, bringing heavy rain and wind gusts exceeding 40 knots.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that the VSO-10, registration OK-7022, had undergone its annual inspection earlier that year and was in airworthy condition. Witnesses at the airfield observed the glider being blown away from the runway by the wind during the storm.