K 8B hits the ground nose-first after airbrakes are closed and reopened in the flare
On a solo circuit at Hodkovice nad Mohelkou, the student pilot of an Alexander Schleicher K 8B was unhurt and the glider substantially damaged when he closed and reopened the airbrakes in the flare. It was his sixth solo circuit of the day; he had 7 hours and 49 launches on gliders. The glider ballooned slightly, which a witness judged to need little or no correction. The pilot retracted the airbrakes, and the excess speed carried the glider up to about 2–3 m with no elevator input. At the top he extended them again; the glider sank sharply and struck the ground nose-first, damaging the fuselage.
- Sixth solo circuit of the day: The student was aerotowed from Hodkovice nad Mohelkou for his sixth solo circuit of the day in the K 8B. The flight was normal up to the flare.
- Airbrakes retracted in the flare: In the flare the glider ballooned slightly; a witness judged that little or no correction was needed. The pilot retracted the airbrakes.
- Climb to about 2–3 m AGL: With the excess speed the glider climbed to about 2–3 m AGL. The pilot made no elevator correction.
- Airbrakes reopened at the top: At the highest point the pilot extended the airbrakes again. The speed was lost and the glider sank sharply.
- Nose-first impact; pilot unhurt: The glider struck the ground nose-first and its fuselage structure was damaged beyond airworthiness. The pilot was not injured.