LS8-a lands hard in a field after the pilot opens airbrakes near stall speed

Landing out near Bělá on a competition task, the pilot of a Rolladen-Schneider LS8-a was unhurt, but the glider was substantially damaged after the pilot opened the airbrakes near stall speed. The final glide began about 19 km out, 400 to 500 m below the height needed for Zbraslavice, and the decision to land out came 13 km on. The approach crossed power lines and trees with minimal clearance, and the field then proved too short. With the airbrakes partly extended, the sink rate rose to about 8 m/s before the glider struck the ground. Wet ground where it stopped suggested the water ballast was dumped only just before touchdown.

1. Competition final glide: On a competition task the pilot left the last thermal about 19 km south of Zbraslavice at 1,200 m MSL; the flight record showed the glide was 400–500 m short of a safe arrival.
2. Field chosen 13 km on: No further climb was found. After about 13 km the pilot chose a field about 7.5 km from the airfield and 4.5 km short of the finish circle, crossing which would have scored many more points.
3. Low, slow approach over wires: The approach, into wind on a heading of about 300°, crossed high-voltage lines and a row of tall trees with minimal clearance; the last 400 m were flown at 41–25 m AGL.
4. Airbrakes opened near the stall: Past the obstacles the pilot found the field too short and, close to stall speed, partly extended the airbrakes to steepen the descent; the sink rate rose to about 8 m/s.
5. Fuselage broken; pilot unhurt: Main wheel, tailwheel and right wingtip struck the ground; the glider bounced twice, rolled about 18 m and turned 90° left. Front and rear fuselage broken, right wing less damaged.