Factual Information
On June 29, 2019, at approximately 12:56 UTC, a Schempp-Hirth Standard Cirrus glider registered OK-0783 sustained damage during an off-field landing near Rajcza, Poland. The pilot, a 32-year-old holder of a valid glider pilot license and flight instructor qualification (FI(S)), was participating in the second competition day of the 2019 Adrenalin Grand Prix, a glider race organized at Frýdlant nad Ostravicí Airport (LKFR).
Sequence of Events
The pilot took off via aerotow from runway 26 at 09:33 UTC. The assigned competition route was SP1 Lysá – Klášťov – úpatí Babi Gory – Jezerne hráz – Lipovy – LKFR, totaling 303 km. After joining a thermal and departing at 10:17 UTC with the main group, the pilot encountered difficulties due to a poorly chosen tactic, delaying his climb to sufficient altitude to cross the Beskydy mountains. He reached the first turn point at 11:32 UTC, with weather improving, then proceeded northeast. Near the Slovakia-Poland border, weather began to deteriorate. The pilot flew north of Čadca, climbed to 1850 m AMSL, and then over mountainous terrain towards the second turn point, expecting thermals based on cloud development. From 1900 m AMSL, he flew towards Rajcza, observing a series of clouds but failing to find a thermal over sunlit slopes.
In the final phase, the pilot searched for any thermal to escape the mountain valleys while also looking for a suitable landing area. Mountain meadows were divided by high boundaries, and most fields near villages were short or fenced, with some crossed by power lines. He initially spotted a continuous meadow with short grass and sufficient length, but during an observation turn at about 500 m above the field, he discovered it was bisected by a fence and unsuitable. A second meadow had tall grass, and the approach required flying over residential houses and tall trees. To maintain a safety margin against sudden gusts, the pilot executed a higher-speed approach with the air brakes fully open, attempting to dissipate altitude effectively by accelerating to approximately 120 km/h.
After flaring, the glider's wings caught the tall grass, causing a rotation around the vertical axis by about 180 degrees. The glider then moved backwards, resulting in damage to the wing, ailerons, and center section. The pilot was not injured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Standard Cirrus is a single-seat, mid-wing glider with a composite fuselage and wing, T-tail, and retractable landing gear. Manufactured by Schempp-Hirth in 1972, serial number 192, the glider had a total flight time of 3480 hours 12 minutes, with 66 hours 10 minutes since the last inspection. The pilot had 378 hours 20 minutes total glider experience, including 153 hours 17 minutes on type, and had flown 28 hours 29 minutes in the previous 90 days. The glider was equipped with a LXNAV NANO 3 flight recorder.
Meteorological Conditions
During the pre-flight briefing, meteorologists predicted a high-pressure system with 1020 hPa moving southeast. Conditions were forecast as 1-3/8 cumulus with base 1500-1700 m MSL in the morning, clearing to thermals with tops 1800-2200 m MSL in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures 22-25 °C, wind from northwest at 2-4 m/s. Actual conditions near the landing site at 13:00 UTC were partly cloudy with 2-4/8 cumulus base above 1000 m AGL, high cirrus, visibility over 10 km, temperature 23-25 °C, and wind from 230°-340° at 4-5 kt gusting to 12-15 kt.
Damage
The inspection by an authorized maintenance organization revealed: damage to the trailing edge skin near the root rib of the left wing; destruction of the auxiliary hinge and damage to the front auxiliary pin on the right wing; damage to both ailerons; damage to the rear auxiliary wing hinge mounts in the center section rib webs; and deformation of the center section strut tubes on both sides of the main landing gear well. No damage occurred to property on the ground.
Analysis
The pilot, during the competition flight, attempted to cross a mountain area with weak thermals due to the evolving weather. Unable to gain sufficient altitude, he used the remaining height to search for a suitable landing site. Recognizing that most nearby fields were unsafe, he chose to land on a meadow with tall grass. The final approach over obstacles (buildings and trees) was conducted at an elevated speed (up to 138-144 km/h indicated) with full air brakes, resulting in high descent rates. At about 15 m AGL, the pilot reduced speed to 89 km/h with a descent rate of 4.5 m/s. Upon touchdown in tall grass, the glider decelerated sharply, rotated 180 degrees, and moved backward. The damage resulted from the wing catching the tall vegetation.
Conclusions
The pilot was fit for flight. The glider had a valid airworthiness certificate and was normally controllable. During the competition flight, before reaching the second turn point, the pilot failed to cross an area of weak thermals over mountainous terrain. After exhausting all options for finding lift, he decided to land and selected a field. Due to obstacles before the chosen landing site, he descended at high speed during the final approach until flaring. The glider touched down in tall grass, and the wing caught the vegetation, inducing a yaw moment. The damage was a consequence of the wing impacting the tall grass.