Incident Overview
On August 3, 2012, at 13:38 LMT, a glider pilot departed Zamość-Mokre airfield (EPZA) aboard an SZD-30 Pirat glider towed by a Jak-12M aircraft. The flight was a training exercise (B/VIII exercise 1: thermal and soaring training) as part of the Polish Aero Club glider training program. The takeoff and initial tow proceeded normally.
Sequence of Events
At approximately 600 m above ground level (AGL), the towed glider entered a thermal updraft and rose above the tow plane. Following a visual signal from the tow aircraft and a radio command to release, the glider pilot pulled the release handle but did not confirm disconnection of the tow line. During a subsequent turn, the glider-tow plane combination entered a dive. The glider pilot observed no response from the elevator control. After the tow line broke, the glider’s canopy opened abruptly. The tow plane recovered to level flight, but the glider continued descending at a steep pitch angle, gaining speed.
Pilot Actions and Outcome
Seeing the ground approaching rapidly, the glider pilot decided to bail out. He jettisoned the canopy and, while still in a steep dive, exited the cockpit through the left side of the glider. The glider then entered a spin and struck the ground, resulting in its destruction. The pilot deployed his parachute and landed, sustaining only minor injuries.
Pilot Information
The 37-year-old male pilot held a valid glider pilot license (PL(G)), an aircraft radio operator certificate, and a valid Class 2 medical certificate. He had completed theoretical knowledge and flight proficiency checks before the season. His total flight time was 162 hours 17 minutes (130 h 11 min solo), with 27 h 31 min on the Pirat glider. In the 2012 season, he had flown 58 minutes on an SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider (two dual-tow flights and one winch launch). He was not current in glider pilot logbook keeping; his recent flights were recorded in a student pilot training diary.
Glider and Weather Conditions
The glider's weight and balance check showed its empty weight exceeded the limit by 8 kg, but the center of gravity remained within limits. No pre-existing malfunctions were found that could have affected the event; the glider was airworthy with required documentation. Weather at the time included wind from 120° at 3–5 m/s, visibility above 10 km, scattered cumulus clouds (2/8 to 4/8, base 2000 m), and temperature 26°C.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not establish a probable cause for the accident. No safety recommendations were issued.