Accident Overview
On 16 May 2013, an SZD-42 Jantar 2 glider (registration SP-2961) was involved in an accident during a towed takeoff from the Częstochowa aeroclub airfield. The pilot, a 36-year-old male with a valid glider license and 1,257 hours of flight experience, sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital. The glider sustained severe damage.
Sequence of Events
The pilot, who also owned the glider, arrived at the airfield for a training flight. After preparing the glider, he arranged for a tow from a Cessna 206 aircraft, as the aeroclub's tow plane was unavailable. The tow pilot had the required qualifications, and the aircraft was equipped with a glider tow hitch. The glider pilot discussed the start procedures with the tow pilot, and together they moved the glider to the takeoff area, positioning it into the wind.
The takeoff began at 13:42 local time on a heading of 120–130 degrees. During the takeoff run, the glider began to veer left. In response, the glider pilot changed the flaps from -2 to +1, intending to lift off more quickly and correct the alignment in the air. However, the strong propwash from the tow aircraft, now affecting only the right wing, combined with reduced lateral control, caused the glider to roll to the left. As the glider lifted off, the left wing contacted the ground, generating a large yawing moment that led to a sharp left turn and a hard landing. During this maneuver, the glider's tail boom broke. The glider then rolled over the right wing and struck the ground nose-first in an inverted position. In this inverted orientation, the glider was dragged by the tow aircraft for several dozen meters.
Observers who witnessed the start ran to the wreckage, freed the pilot from the cockpit, and provided first aid. A military ambulance soon arrived, and a civilian ambulance was called. The pilot sustained facial injuries and general bruises and was taken to the hospital.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The glider was a SZD-42 Jantar 2, serial number X-120, manufactured in 1976, with an airworthiness certificate valid until 8 June 2013. It was privately owned. The pilot held a glider license valid until 6 May 2014, with theoretical knowledge and flight technique checks current. He had obtained a type rating for the Jantar 2 on 6 July 2000. His total glider flight time was 1,257 hours and 2 minutes, with 175 hours and 23 minutes on the type in 54 flights. In the last 90 days, he had flown 10 hours and 32 minutes.
The tow aircraft was a Cessna 206, which had a tow hitch for gliders and was flown by a pilot with appropriate qualifications. The tow aircraft was not equipped with a rearview mirror.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the accident was caused by pilot error: the glider pilot failed to release the towline when directional control was lost during the takeoff run. A contributing circumstance was the absence of a flight director who could have issued a command to release and abort the start. The commission also noted that a gust or sudden wind shift from a thermal chimney might have influenced the loss of direction. Additionally, the tow aircraft lacked a rearview mirror, which could have helped the tow pilot assess the situation earlier.
No safety recommendations were formulated by the commission.
Probable Cause
Pilot error in not releasing the towline when directional control was lost during the takeoff run.