Slingsby T21 sustainer crashes on an outlanding after getting lost
A sustainer-equipped Slingsby T21 was destroyed in a heavy landing on a sloping ploughed field, slightly injuring both occupants. Car-tow launched, it found no lift, so the engine ran near full power throughout. The crew became completely lost, and after about eighty minutes the fuel ran low, forcing a landing. With only ploughed fields available, the pilot chose one with a narrow path but saw too late that it sloped downhill. A go-around was attempted, but the sustainer could not climb away, and the glider struck the ground nose-low well short of the path. The wings detached and the cockpit was badly damaged; no radio was carried.
- Car-tow departure: The modified Slingsby T21 was car-tow launched from East Kirby in calm winds and hazy conditions with layered cloud.
- No lift, fuel low: After about eighty minutes of flight with no rising air and the sustainer engine run near full power, the fuel supply became low, forcing a decision to land while still lost.
- Navigation disorientation: During the extended powered flight the pilots became completely lost and had no two-way radio or external assistance.
- Poor field selection: With only ploughed fields available, the pilot selected a field with a narrow path as the intended landing area, providing a marginal and constrained landing option.
- Late slope recognition: Only late in the approach did the pilot realise that the chosen landing area had a significant downslope and he attempted a go-around using the sustainer engine.
- Insufficient go-around power: The sustainer engine did not provide enough power for a go-around from the downslope approach, and the glider descended uncontrollably toward the ploughed field.
- Crash - minor injury: The glider struck the ground heavily in a nose-low attitude some distance from the path, destroying the aircraft and causing minor injuries to both occupants who were hospitalised overnight.