ASK 13 strikes the ground nose-first after a sharp push out of a ballooned flare
On a solo circuit at Hodkovice nad Mohelkou, a sharp push out of a balloon drove a Schleicher ASK 13 nose-first into the ground; the student pilot was injured and the glider substantially damaged. It was the student's first solo after the winter break. On a fast final, at about 120 km/h with full airbrakes, the student misjudged the flare height and the glider floated up to 2–3 m. The student closed the airbrakes instead of easing the stick forward; the glider climbed on, losing speed, until the student pushed sharply forward. Events moved too fast for the instructor, on the radio, to intervene.
- First solo after winter break: After two dual check flights in the ASK 13 with no significant remarks, the student flew a solo circuit at Hodkovice nad Mohelkou, with the instructor in radio contact.
- Fast, steep final, brakes full out: After the final turn the approach was fast, about 120 km/h, in a steep descent with the airbrakes fully extended.
- Flare height misjudged, balloon: The student misjudged the height for the flare and began the round-out; the glider floated up to 2–3 m AGL.
- Airbrakes closed, glider climbs: The student closed the airbrakes instead of easing the stick forward. The glider kept climbing gently and losing speed.
- Sharp push forward: The student then pushed the stick sharply forward.
- Nose strike; student injured: The nose struck the ground about 45 m before the glider came to rest; the fuselage pitched and the tail wheel struck, deforming the rear fuselage frame. The student was injured.