A glider pilot lies demolished in an allotment garden, the rear part of the machine has broken off. All around are numerous branches and greenery, a smaller tree is torn and the garden fence is dented. This picture is the result of a spectacular emergency landing on Whit Monday.
Because instead of landing on the designated runway in Helmstedt, Lower Saxony, a 75-year-old man lands his glider in an allotment garden next to it. The reason: the glider pilot was already too low to land on the airfield.
During the bumpy landing, the aircraft is slowed down by a pile of branches and a collision with a smaller tree. It then comes to a standstill in a compost heap.
On his way down, the pilot destroyed three plots in the allotment garden and caused around 30,000 euros in damage, according to the Wolfsburg police. However, he himself is unharmed.
Blessing in disguise
This is not the only incident on Whit Monday. Just two hours’ drive from the compost heap incident, another pilot makes a strange landing. The ultralight aircraft of a 57-year-old pilot is hit by a gust of wind on its approach.
When he tries to gain height again, he brushes against the roof edge of a company building and comes to a standstill on the roof. From there the pilot had to be rescued by the fire department with the help of a turntable ladder. According to the Lüneburg police, there was only slight damage to property – and the pilot got away with a few scratches.
Nevertheless, in both cases the responsible authorities are investigating how the accidents could have happened. (ouch)
Published: May 25th, 2021, 5:09 pm
Last updated: May 25, 2021, 5:09 pm