What happened
On May 19, 2012, a student pilot was conducting glider training at the Piotrków Trybunalski (EPPT) aerodrome using a winch launch method. The flight operations were taking place on the grass runway 03R, which had been utilized following a shift in wind direction. The aircraft involved was an SZD-30 Pirat, registration SP-2036.
During the third launch attempt of the session, the glider began its takeoff roll with the front skid in contact with the ground. Shortly after the start of the roll, the left wing caught the grass, causing the aircraft to veer approximately 35 degrees left of the runway centerline. An instructor monitoring the flight issued multiple radio commands for the pilot to release the winch cable. However, the student pilot failed to react in time, and the cable remained attached.
As the glider lifted into the air at an altitude of only a few meters, the aircraft transitioned into an inverted position. At this moment, the winch operator ceased tension and shut down the engine. The glider, in an inverted configuration, struck the ground, with the forward section of the fuselage making the primary impact. The left wing dug into the airfield surface to a depth of approximately 0.35 meters, causing severe damage to the aircraft. The student pilot sustained no injuries and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation, where no trauma was found.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the takeoff sequence, the pilot's response to the emergency, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation focused on the mechanics of the takeoff roll, the communication between the instructor and the student, and the state of the runway surface.