ZS DELTA-BIELSKO WROCLAW SZD 36 A COBRA 15
Hammond, IL — May 27, 2018
Event Information
| Date | May 27, 2018 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA18CA305 |
| Event ID | 20180529X21025 |
| Location | Hammond, IL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.79694, -88.59167 |
| Highest Injury | MINR |
Aircraft
| Make | ZS DELTA-BIELSKO WROCLAW |
| Model | SZD 36 A COBRA 15 |
| Category | GLI |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 1 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during an off-airport landing and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from power pole guy wires.
Full Narrative
According to the glider pilot, while skirting rain showers, he was unable to find lift and made an off-airport landing.
The pilot made a straight in approach to a field and noticed that power line poles lined the west side of the field. He made his approach just to the east of the poles so that he would have access to a road and could load the glider onto a transport trailer. The glider touched down on the dirt field, drifted toward the power line poles, and the left wing struck a guy wire that ran perpendicular to the poles.
The glider sustained substantial damage to the left wing and the left side of the fuselage near the wing root.
Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had not landed so close to the poles. Further, he should have chosen a field earlier when he had more altitude, circled the field, and landed near the center.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.