What happened
On August 1, 2009, at approximately 13:03 LMT, a pilot launched a training thermal flight via aero-tow from Warsaw-Babice Airport (EPBC) using an SZD-30 Pirat glider, registration SP-2680. The tow was successful, and the glider released from the tow plane at an altitude of approximately 700 meters near the Vistula River.
Following the release, the pilot noted a continuous descent rate of -3 m/s, indicating a lack of sufficient thermal lift to return to the departure aerodrome. Consequently, the pilot decided to perform an off-field landing in a nearby area approximately 6 km northeast of EPBC.
During the landing approach, the pilot deployed the air brakes. Upon noticing tall vegetation ahead, the pilot leveled the flight path and retracted the air brakes. However, due to excessive airspeed, the pilot re-extended the air brakes to decelerate. The pilot failed to retract the air brakes in time before contact with the tall vegetation, causing the lower plate of the right air brake to strike the plants. The glider came to a stop after a relatively short ground roll.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight path and vertical profile recorded on a Garmin GPSmap 76CS handheld device, as well as the pilot's account of the maneuvers. The investigation also assessed the physical damage to the aircraft, which included a bent right air brake lower plate, cracks in the center section near the right air brake box, and a crack in the upper fuselage skin between the main frames near the center section attachment.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was landing in an off-field location that did not provide a safe rollout due to the presence of tall and unevenly growing vegetation.
- The pilot performed the flare phase incorrectly by retracting the air brakes too early, re-extending them, and then delaying their retraction before impact.
- A contributing factor was a tactical error in flight management, specifically the decision to release from the tow too early and the failure to attempt a return to the aerodrome once thermal lift was lost.