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Schweizer 2-33
C-FARD
31 October 2004
Trois-Rivières, Quebec
Two gliders were re-positioned from the main runway
at Trois- Rivières to a nearby grass strip where
gliding activities were to be conducted for the day.
A runway inspection of the grass strip was not conducted
and the first glider was forced to land in the middle
of the strip due to a puddle of water. Shortly after,
the second glider was inbound for landing and the launch
control officer (LCO) felt pressured to remove the obstructing
glider from the grass strip. The LCO asked a nearby
instructor pilot (IP) to take a cadet for an instructional
trip. The crew quickly completed the pre-flight inspection
and launched in challenging wind conditions without
conducting a pre-flight briefing. The launch was not
manned by the required number of personnel.
The SP flew the take off, and the IP initiated the
cable release at 600 ft AGL on the upwind leg. During
the downwind leg, the glider drifted towards the runway
and the turn to base leg started late. The IP took control
of the glider on the base leg as the glider overshot
the runway centerline to the south. The IP increased
the angle of bank (AOB) to at least 45 degrees in an
attempt to realign the aircraft with the runway. The
glider then headed towards nearby trees and the IP entered
a left turn during the final stages of landing. The
aircraft's left wing struck the ground first followed
by the tail wheel, it then skidded along the grass for
30 meters prior to coming to rest.
The investigation focused on the procedures used at
the Trois-Rivières gliding site and on human
factors. The cause of this accident was that the aircraft
was placed in a position from which it could not be
landed safely. The weather conditions at the time of
the accident were very challenging and the airfield
environment at this particular landing strip leave few
viable options to safely compensate for errors in judgement.
Recommended safety actions included the use of this
accident as a case study for cadet instructor training
and in the air cadet Human Performance in Aviation program.
As well, the Eastern Region Gliding School has modified
their local gliding procedures to include a full operations
briefing at the grass strip prior to continuing with
flying operations. It is also recommended that the ERGS
review their procedures when re-positioning the gliders
from the main runway.
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