L-13A Blaník damages its tail in tall rapeseed after its glide back falls short
On a cross-country flight cut short after release, an L-13A Blaník pilot landed in tall rapeseed 1 km east of Hořice airfield; he was unhurt, but the crop substantially damaged the tail surfaces. Released from aerotow at about 750 m MSL in a turn showing a steady 5 m/s climb, he did not manage to find another thermal and turned back to land at the airfield. On the approach, by his account, he met sinking air and lost height quickly. With neither the airfield nor a more suitable field within gliding reach, he chose to land out in the flat rapeseed field about twelve minutes after take-off.
- Aerotow for a cross-country flight: The pilot was aerotowed from Hořice behind a Z-142 for a planned thermal cross-country flight and released at about 750 m MSL in a turn showing a steady 5 m/s climb.
- No further climb; turned back: After release he did not manage to connect with another thermal and turned back towards the airfield, intending to land there.
- Airfield out of gliding reach: On the approach he met sinking air, by his account, and lost height quickly; he could glide neither to the airfield nor to a more suitable field.
- Landing in tall rapeseed: He decided to land out in a flat field of tall rapeseed about 1 km east of the airfield, about twelve minutes after take-off.
- Tail damaged; pilot unhurt: On landing the tail surfaces were damaged by the force of contact with the tall crop; the pilot was unhurt.