CHI04CA102

The glider operated by a certified flight instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage during approach. The CFI stated that while approaching for a downwind landing, he observed that the aircraft was too low for a normal approach and landing. The CFI reported that he cut the corner and flew over a small clump of trees and on the downwind side of the trees encountered a significant sink and landed in a soft field. Upon landing the glider bounced hard and the right wingtip dug into the ground. The student pilot reported a similar sequence of events. The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the glider.

On April 4, 2004, about 1600 central daylight time, a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider, N17882, operated by the Civil Air Patrol, piloted by a certified flight instructor (CFI), sustained substantial damage during an off-field landing near Lake Village Indiana. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The CFI and student pilot sustained no injuries. The local flight originated from Lake Village Airport (C98), near Lake Village, Indiana, about 1555.

The CFI stated:

Shortly before 1600 CDT we departed Lake village Airport for a

fourth flight. The takeoff and tow were routine. Approaching for

another downwind landing, I observed that we were too low for a

normal pattern. I cut the corner and flew over a line of trees and

on the downwind side of the trees we encountered significant sink

and landed in a soft sandy field. Upon landing we bounced hard

and dug the right wingtip into the ground breaking many rivets

and bending the wing aft.

The student pilot stated:

Forecast surface wind was 10 to 12 from N-NW. Actual seemed to be

about 15. We had several tow pilots and tow pilot trainees along with

glider pilots. Around 1430 hours I was taking instruction from [the CFI]

in a glider. We had taken 3 glider rides together earlier in the day.

All flights were to about 1000 AGL. ... On the fourth flight we were

about 2 or 3 miles north east of the airport (C98). This was the same

general area we were in the previous three flights. We performed one

steep turn and one slow flight maneuver. We then started back to the

airport for a landing. Our altitude seemed to be about the same as

earlier flights. About 1-1/2 miles from the airport there is a tree lining

running east and west that almost meets a forest that borders the north

end of the airport. Just before we reached the east/west tree line we

experienced a "sink" as if we went through a down draft. [The CFI] stated

"looks like we may need to make an off field landing[.]" He maneuvered

the glider past the trees to an open field. He landed the aircraft in the field.

The ground had been plowed and was soft. The nose skid dug into the

soft ground causing the aircraft to turn left dipping the right wing into the

ground where we came to rest. There was damage to the right wing.

[The CFI] did a good job of maneuvering the aircraft to avoid trees and

obstacles.

At 1604, the recorded weather at the Greater Kankakee Airport, Kankakee, Illinois, located approximately 18 nautical miles west of the accident, was: Wind 330 degrees at 11 knots gusting to 18 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky condition clear; temperature 10 degrees C; dew point -3 degrees C; altimeter 30.10 inches of mercury.

The CFI reported no mechanical malfunctions in reference to the glider. The pilot stated, "The only recommendation would be during training and flight reviews to increase emphasis on keeping very close to the airport when at low altitudes."