What happened
On May 22, 2017, during the 9th FAI Women’s World Gliding Championships, a JS1 Revelation glider, registration ZS-GBN, was participating in a competitive flight task. After completing the course, the pilot began a glide toward the finish line. However, as the aircraft approached the target area, the pilot found the altitude insufficient to reach the airfield and decided to perform an off-field landing in a field near the village of Šlechtín.
At approximately 15:28 UTC, the pilot was flying at a very low altitude, roughly 50 meters AGL, with no remaining height reserve. The pilot initiated a 140-degree right turn to target a clearing. During the final approach, the pilot performed a last-minute course correction, deviating 45 degrees from the original intended path. The landing was conducted at a low airspeed with the airbrakes/flaperons incorrectly set to position 1 (-5°).
Due to the low speed and incorrect flap setting, the aircraft struck soft vegetation at an altitude of approximately 30 meters. The impact caused the glider to bounce into soft, waterlogged soil. The right wing caught the ground, causing the aircraft to pivot 90 degrees to the right and skid laterally. During this uncontrolled movement, the left wing struck a hard, uneven surface, resulting in the separation of the left winglet and structural damage to the leading edge.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN examined the flight data recorded by the LX 9000 flight recorder and inspected the aircraft at the accident site. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight history, noting relatively limited experience on this specific aircraft type. The investigation also analyzed meteorological conditions, which included a light breeze from the northeast and overcast skies.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to complete the competitive flight task without sufficient altitude reserve.
- The decision to perform the off-field landing maneuver was made at an extremely low altitude.
- The landing maneuver was executed at a low airspeed with flaperons incorrectly configured for the landing.
- The pilot's final decision to change the landing direction at a low altitude contributed to the unsuccessful outcome.
- The aircraft sustained damage due to the initial impact and the subsequent uncontrolled ground skid.