What happened
On August 7, 2009, two SZD-30 Pirat gliders were engaged in thermal training flights near the Osowa Gólar region. The first aircraft, registration SP-2559, had completed a scheduled flight route between Bydgoszcz, Mrocza, and Chełmno before requesting to continue thermal soaring in the airport vicinity. The second aircraft, registration SP-2732, departed for a similar training mission approximately 55 minutes later.
Both aircraft were operating with functional radio communications. At approximately 16:40, the two gliders were circling together within the same thermal column. After the pilot of SP-2732 departed the thermal toward the airfield, the pilot of SP-2559 followed. During this maneuver, the left wingtip of SP-2559 collided with the rear section of the right wingtip of SP-2732 at an altitude of approximately 1,650 meters.
Following the impact, the pilot of SP-2732 assessed the aircraft's controllability and, finding it intact, performed a descent using aerodynamic brakes, landing safely at the airfield at 16:50. The pilot of SP-2559 experienced a degradation in flight control and immediately notified the Flight Manager via radio. Under instructions to descend without overstressing the airframe and to use the parachute if lateral control failed, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft safely at the airfield.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the flight paths, the sequence of maneuvers within the thermal, and the physical damage to both aircraft. The investigation confirmed that both pilots were student pilots undergoing training for glider pilot licenses, with valid medical certificates and radio operator licenses. The investigation also reviewed the structural damage, which included a damaged aileron on SP-273eler, damage to the right wingtip mounting on SP-2559, and structural damage to the wingtip and center section of SP-2559.