Schweizer 2-33A Glider C-GBZG
27 September 2003
Summerside, PEI
The instructor pilot (IP) and passenger were conducting a familiarization flight in support of the Air Cadet Fall Glider Familiarization Program at Summerside Airport, PEI, when the glider landed hard after aborting the launch procedure. The aircrew were uninjured. The glider sustained "B" category damage.
The auto-tow launch on runway 24 began normally. After the "all out" signal was given, the glider was observed to accelerate slowly by the signal cadet who was monitoring the launch and providing signals to the tow vehicle. Believing that something was wrong with this unusually long take off run, the cadet gave the stop signal to the tow vehicle. Simultaneously, the glider became airborne and climbed to approximately 50 ft AGL. The signal person, doubting his decision, attempted to cancel his stop signal but by then the tow vehicle had already responded to the original signal and began to decelerate.
The IP noted the poor acceleration on takeoff. Once airborne, the IP then observed the airspeed decaying from 50 MPH to 45 MPH and released the towrope. With insufficient altitude to regain the 50 MPH approach speed, the glider descended rapidly and rounded out at approximately 3-5' with insufficient airspeed to flare and arrest the descent. The glider struck the runway in a level attitude approximately 2000' from the threshold. After the glider came to rest, the occupants egressed and assisted in moving the glider off the runway. It was then that damage to the glider was noticed.
Damage was initially assessed in situ as "D" category. However after detailed examination at 14 Wing Greenwood, further damage was noted: the wheel axle was bent; the fuselage tubing surrounding the axle frame was deformed, broken, and compressed; and the tire sidewall was compressed against the rim, causing a visible scrape and scoring. The damage was subsequently upgraded to "B" cat.
The investigation is focussing on the signal cadet's decision to stop the launch and the tow-vehicle's serviceability/ability to accelerate.
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