Schweizer
2-33 C-FACY
10
September 2006
Valcartier, Quebec
The accident glider pilot was participating in the
Air Cadet fall familiarization gliding program. The
cadet had recently graduated from the summer Air Cadet
Gliding Program and was in the process of building up
gliding time. Runway 04 is divided into two landing
lanes with lane 1 being the left lane (near the trees).
The Gliders were landing on lane 1 of runway 04.
On the day of the accident the pilot had already flown
three dual trips seven solo trips. The accident occurred
on the eighth solo flight of the day. The aero-tow and
upper air work of the accident flight were uneventful.
On final approach the pilot encountered a left crosswind
which required the application of a sideslip (left wing
down with application of right rudder) to maintain the
centre-line of the runway. The left crosswind abruptly
ceased as the glider descended below the height of the
trees that line the left side of the runway. This caused
the glider to drift left towards the forested area and
lose airspeed. The glider also encountered some downdrafts.
The pilot attempted to correct back to the runway centre-line,
however, the glider's left wing contacted some trees
at 23 feet above ground level. The glider pivoted 90
degrees to the left and fell almost vertically. The
pilot sufferred serious injuries. The glider sustained
'B' category damage.
The investigation is focussing on the proximity of
the trees to the landing area and the localized wind
shear phenomenon that is well known by Valcartier pilots.
The proximity of the trees to the landing area allows
for only 18 feet of clearance between the glider's wingtip
and the trees when landing on lane 1. The condition
which is conducive to the development of wind shear
is a left crosswind on runway 04, or a right crosswind
on runway 22.
Immediate preventive measures include moving the main
landing area to lane 2 - which is further from the tree
line. All pilots will be briefed on the local wind shear
phenomenon, and this information will be included in
the Regional Flying Orders.
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