Accident Description
On 28 August 2009, a glider accident occurred near EPBC airfield. The aircraft involved was an SZD-50-3 Puchacz. The flight was a training sortie for a 16-year-old student pilot, accompanied by a 72-year-old instructor. The task was the first flight for learning spin recovery procedures, as per exercise I, lesson 5. The student was being trained by an instructor-in-training, and the instructor onboard was evaluating the student's progress.
Witnesses reported that the takeoff, transit to the practice area, and the exercise itself were performed correctly. After completing the task, the glider headed back to the airfield and entered the traffic pattern on the downwind leg. Witnesses observed the glider flying at reduced speed. Shortly thereafter, at an altitude of approximately 220–250 meters, the glider entered a right spin. Recovery occurred after about three-quarters of a rotation, transitioning into a steep climb without an attempt to level off. The glider then stalled again, entering a second right spin. After approximately one full rotation, the rotation stopped, and the glider transitioned into a steep dive. It struck the ground at an estimated angle of 80 degrees, in an allotment area about 970 meters from the glider landing square. Both occupants were killed on impact.
Investigation Findings
Post-accident examination of the glider wreckage, both at the scene and later, revealed no mechanical malfunctions that could have contributed to the accident. All control systems were functional up to impact. Both the student and the instructor held valid aviation medical certificates and appropriate licenses. The instructor had accumulated approximately 1,555 hours of solo flight time and had trained one basic group of student pilots in 2009. The student was reported to have shown significant progress and appropriate reactions to abnormal situations during training.
The investigation commission conducted an in-depth analysis of the instructor's health, as no glider defects were found. This analysis involved protected health data and was only partially disclosed in the conclusions.