Report on aviation accident on 28 April 2023 at Rønneld airfield for model aircraft near Skjeberg, Norway, involving a 1:2 scale remotely piloted ASG-29 glider

Towards the end of April 2023 between 20 and 25 RC pilots were gathered at Rønneld airfield for model aircraft. The pilots were a mix of local club members and guest pilots. The guest pilots included two German pilots, and all the guest pilots were flying large scale gliders. It was one of the German pilots that was struck while he was standing on the western edge of the runway flying his own glider.

Model aircraft do occasionally veer off course during takeoff. To avoid serious consequences due to such incidences it is common that everyone flying stands together behind the aerotow. According to the local safety regulations at Rønneld everyone should stand together at the beginning of the runway during aerotows. During all other kinds of flying the pilots should stand together at the pilot stand – a small area secured with a net and located close to midfield on the western side of the runway. Misunderstandings with regard to the wording of the safety regulations and possibly some language problems appear to have been the reason why the German guest pilot was standing close to the pilot stand instead of behind the aerotow. He does not remember anything from the time around the accident and has not been able to explain why he was standing where he was. Inadequate clearance of the area surrounding the runway resulted in the German guest pilot not being spotted in time to avoid the accident.

Norwegian Air Sports Federation (NLF) released a safety bulletin a short time after the accident where they emphasised the need to scan the runway before taking off. NSIA has endorsed this. In addition, the NSIA recommends that NLF introduces a mandatory check of the candidates understanding of safety rules before issuing remote pilot licenses.

Published 28.06.2024