Introduction
On 15 May 2014, an incident involving a SZD-50-3 Puchacz glider occurred at Leszno airport (EPLS). The aircraft was being flown by a student pilot conducting a solo flight as part of training. The incident resulted in no injuries and minor damage to the glider.
Flight Details
The flight was part of a series of training sorties under task AI of the Glider Training Program. Weather conditions included wind from 350° to 360° at 5 to 6 m/s, cloud cover increasing from 2/8 to 3/8 with a base above 500 m above the airfield. Flights began at 08:28 local time. At 09:38, the student pilot initiated a solo flight using a winch launch, performing task AI/8.
Incident Description
The takeoff and circuit pattern were completed without disturbance. After the fourth turn at approximately 200 m altitude, the glider was aligned with the landing runway axis. The approach began at about 95 km/h, with airbrakes deployed to 3/4 in the initial phase, adjusted to maintain the proper approach angle. At about 20-30 m above ground (before the Leszno-Wschowa national road), the student pilot, attempting to increase speed from approximately 90 km/h to 100 km/h, pitched the glider nose down to about 30° and did not respond to commands from the supervising instructor to reduce the pitch. Just before touchdown, the student reduced the pitch and the glider landed in a rapeseed crop field, deviating left of the landing axis by about 70°. The undershoot from the runway threshold was approximately 140 m.
Damage
The glider sustained minor damage: a wave on the trailing edge of the left wing.
Cause
The probable cause of the incident was an inappropriate approach profile and lack of reaction to the commands of the supervising instructor.