ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 351824
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| Date: | Saturday 18 November 2023 |
| Time: | 12:30 UTC |
| Type: |  Grob G103 Twin Astir |
| Owner/operator: | |
| Registration: | ZS-GPD |
| MSN: | 3010 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 671 hours |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | near Brits Airfield -
 South Africa
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Training |
| Departure airport: | Brits (FABS) |
| Brits (FABS) | |
| Investigating agency: | CAA S.A. |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
An instructor and a student pilot on-board a Twin Astir Glider with registration ZS-GPD were on a training flight from Brits Airfield (FABS) with the intention to return to the same airfield when the accident occurred. The training flight was
conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC) by day.
The instructor pilot stated that the tug aircraft with the glider in tow lined up on Runway 20 in preparation for the flight. A few minutes later, the tug aircraft and the glider took off. During the climb at approximately 150 feet (ft) above ground level (AGL), the tug aircraft rapidly lost height due to the downdraft which resulted in the misalignment of the glider and the tug aircraft. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) the normal height for the tug aircraft to release the glider is 450 (ft). After the glider crew realised that the tug aircraft is not gaining sufficient height, they initiated a left turn to return to the take-off runway. As a safety precaution, the instructor pilot (glider) called for the release of the glider from the tug aircraft so that he can execute a forced landing on a field due to the absence of lift/thermals. During the forced landing, the undercarriage collapsed, and the tail boom was substantially damaged. Both occupants were not injured.
The tug aircraft returned to the airfield where it landed safely and undamaged.
Probable Cause The instructor pilot disconnected the glider from the tug aircraft at a height of 150 feet AGL due to
the tug aircraft experiencing a downdraft; as a result, the instructor pilot conducted an unsuccessful forced landing on a field.
Contributing Factor
Insufficient thermals to sustain lift.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
SACAA
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Feb-2024 16:55 | ASN | Added |
| 20-Feb-2024 16:58 | ASN | Updated [Aircraft type, Phase, Departure airport, Destination airport, Narrative, Plane category] |
| 20-Feb-2024 16:58 | ASN | Updated [Location] |
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