Glasflügel 304 S Jet catches a wing landing crosswind in a gust after six hours aloft

Landing at Benešov after a six-hour thermal flight in 26 to 30 °C heat, the pilot of a Glasflügel 304 S Jet met a strong gust on final as the light wind shifted; the pilot was unhurt, but the glider caught a wing after touchdown, swung round and was substantially damaged. The approach to RWY 27R was flown in a crosswind; with the gust a tail-crosswind component appeared, and the touchdown was fast. As the glider swung, the fuselage broke about 1 m behind the wing and a small wheel tore off the right wing extension. The report noted that six hours in the heat may have tired the pilot and reduced concentration for the landing.

1. Six-hour thermal flight in the heat: The pilot flew a thermal flight of about six hours from Benešov on a day of 26 to 30 °C, in a heatwave that had followed a cold spring with little soaring, and returned to land on RWY 27R.
2. Six hours in heat, possible fatigue: The report found that six hours in sun and heat could have tired the pilot and reduced concentration in the final phase of the flight.
3. Gust on final as the wind shifts: On final in a light crosswind the wind direction changed and the pilot met a strong gust from below; the touchdown came at higher speed with a tail-crosswind component.
4. Wing catches after touchdown: After touchdown the right wing caught the ground and the glider swung round on the runway.
5. Fuselage breaks behind the wing: The fuselage broke about 1 m behind the wing and a small wheel tore off the right wing extension; the pilot was unhurt.